Western Specialty Contractors assists with dome replacement project at University of Northern Iowa
February 23, 2024 — Western Specialty Contractors – Des Moines, Iowa, Branch assisted with a major project to replace the fabric roof on the University of Northern Iowa’s iconic UNI-Dome. A campus landmark, the UNI-Dome has been the home of UNI Athletics since its opening in 1976. As the facility approaches its 50th anniversary in 2026, UNI Athletics launched a $50 million, three-phase campaign in 2022 to completely renovate and renew the beloved building.
The first phase includes replacing the dome’s nearly 25-year-old fabric roof, which has reached the end of its lifespan, with a more durable fabric to better withstand the region’s cold winters and humid summers.
The general contractor on the project, Enclos Tensile Structures, hired Western in June 2023 to perform a portion of the roof replacement project focused on extending the life of and restoring a concrete ring beam that encircles the entire dome.
Western’s scope of work included completing concrete repairs and epoxy injections around the ring, plus applying a full acrylic coating system on the exterior post-tensioned concrete ring beam. Western’s craftsmen used a specialized lift called a Bridgewalker Type 1 to descend off the building’s roof to access its concrete ring beam.
Access was extremely challenging on the project as swing stages would’ve required installing a specialized anchorage system, and the areas below the concrete ring beam did not allow for the use of lifts. Our experienced crew was able to figure out how to gain access to the work area in a safe and efficient manner utilizing this specialized equipment.
Western Project Manager Thomas Derry
Western says it was able to complete its portion of the dome replacement project in October 2023, within budget and on schedule.
Family-owned and operated for more than 100 years, Western Specialty Contractors is one of the nation’s largest specialty contractors in masonry and concrete restoration, waterproofing and specialty roofing. Western offers a nationwide network of expertise that building owners, engineers, architects, and property managers can count on to develop cost-effective, corrective measures that can add years of useful life to a variety of structures including industrial, commercial, healthcare, historic, educational and government buildings, parking structures and sports stadiums.