Superior Dome
The Superior Dome has been home to the Wildcat football team since its construction in 1991 and is now also home to the Wildcat soccer team and the Wildcat track teams. The Dome stands 14 stories high and encompasses 5.1 acres under its roof. Constructed of 781 Douglas Fir beams and 108.5 miles of fir decking, the Dome has a permanent seating capacity of 8,000, although the building can hold as many as 16,000 people.
In the "Book of World Records - 2010," the Superior Dome is listed as the fifth-largest dome structure in the world (largest being measured by diameter). The four other structures that are larger are made of steel, making it the largest wooden dome structure.The facility has a diameter of 536 feet. It has the ability to withstand 60 pounds per square foot of snow and 80 mile per hour winds.
The Dome's features include a retractable artificial turf carpet, the largest of its kind in the world. When extended, the turf has the ability to accommodate football, soccer (120 x 72 ft. field) and field hockey. Underneath the carpet is a synthetic playing surface that features three basketball/volleyball courts, two tennis courts and a 200-meter track. Three concession areas provide service to all events.
Twelve computerized winches extend the carpet over a cushion of air. It takes 30 minutes to retract the artificial turf carpet and approximately two hours for full set up to be completed.
The Superior Dome is also home of the United States Olympic Education Center offices, as well as special training areas for the USOEC's boxing, weightlifting and wrestling teams.
For information on renting the Superior Dome, call 906-227-2850. To view what is taking place on the main floor of the Superior Dome, go to the Dome webcam.
For information about the Superior Dome building hours, go to Facility Schedules. Events taking place at the Superior Dome can found on the Recreation & Sports Complex calendar.
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2012-2013 Schedule of Events
July
30-31 - NMU youth football camp
August
1 - NMU youth football camp
6-11 - St Ignace high school football camp
22-24 - NMU laptop distribution
September
6 - University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse vs NMU football - "Wildcat Sports Kickoff" 7 p.m.
22 - Ashland University vs NMU football "Homecoming" 2 p.m.
23 - MS walk
29-30 - Central UP Youth football
October
6 - Michigan Tech University vs NMU football - "Family Weekend" 1 p.m.
13 - Grand Valley State University vs NMU football - "Band Day" 1 p.m.
14 - Alex's Lemon Run
20 - Marquette youth football
November
3 - Saginaw Valley State University vs NMU football - "Veterans Day" 1 p.m.
10 - Ferris State University vs NMU football - "Senior Day" 1 p.m.
16 - MHSAA 8-man high school football Championship game 7 p.m.
17 - MHSAA football playoffs TBD
30 - TV 6 Christmas Craft Show
December
1-2 TV6 Christmas Craft Show
15 NMU Commencement 10:30 a.m.
January
19 - Special Olympics Winter Games
25-27 - Noquemanon Ski Marathon
February
2 - Pump Up the Dome Inflatable Game Day
7-10 - Softball tournament for Special Olympics
16 - NMU Northern Challenge track meet TBD
22-24 - Finlandia women's softball tournament
March
2 - Kaleidoscope 12 p.m.
8-10 - UP Builders Show
15-17 - New Car Show
22-24 - Boat, Sport and RV Show
29-30 - MSHS girls' softball tournament
April
6-7 - NMU soccer tournament
12-14 - Youth soccer tournament
20 - NMU football spring game
26-28 - Youth soccer tournament
May
4 - NMU commencement 10:30 a.m.
10-12 TV6 Mother's Day Craft Show
June
2 - MSHS Project Graduation
29 - UP All-Star high school football game 3 p.m.
For more information please contact the Superior Dome office at 906-227-2850.
