Syracuse University’s 2020 Commencement will not be held in the Carrier Dome, Chancellor Kent Syverud announced on Wednesday.

Commencement has traditionally been held in the Dome, but in 2020 it might be held outside, Syverud said at Wednesday’s University Senate meeting. SU will temporarily vacate the Dome by March 1, 2020 while the Dome’s roof is being replaced, he said.

The Dome’s new roof will be built between May and September of 2020. Its current air-supported roof will be replaced with a fixed structure that is more stable. Pictures released by SU show that part of the roof will be semi-transparent, providing natural light for the facility.

Courtesy of Syracuse University

The new roof will have a 40-year lifespan — double the lifespan of the current roof, said Amir Rahnamay-Azar, SU’s senior vice president and chief financial officer, in May 2018. Maintenance on the new roof will also be less costly, he said.

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SU’s renovation of the Dome will include a vertically hung scoreboard, additional Wi-Fi capabilities, accessibility improvements, air conditioning and a new sound and lighting system. Pete Sala, vice president and chief facilities officer, said in May 2018 that the Wi-Fi enhancements, closed captioning and restroom renovation projects would be completed in summer 2018.

Sala said that SU’s football, basketball and lacrosse seasons will not be affected by the renovations. The university has previously said it expects to add air conditioning, new concession space and new restrooms by fall 2022.

The renovations are expected to cost a total of $118 million. SU previously announced that more than $6 million in Dome upgrades will go toward Americans with Disabilities Act-related accessibility projects. The projects will include a new entrance, accessible seating, closed captioning software and five ADA electric door operators.

Published on April 10, 2019 at 11:43 pm

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