On this Day in 1989: EllisDon’s Boldest Bet Opened

On this day in 1989, the SkyDome (now known as Rogers Centre) opened; marking a defining moment for Toronto, the millions who would pass through its doors, and for EllisDon.

The story began years earlier with a challenge few were willing to take on.

At the time, EllisDon was a mid-sized builder and not the most obvious choice for a project of this scale. For founder Don Smith, however, the SkyDome was an opportunity to take a decisive risk; one that would put the company’s capabilities to the test on a global stage. In many ways, it was an early example of the entrepreneurial spirit that continues to define EllisDon today; seeing possibility where others saw uncertainty and moving forward with conviction.

Construction began in 1986 without a clear precedent or playbook. The ambition was straightforward in concept, but unprecedented in execution: a fully retractable roof at a scale never attempted before. Four massive steel panels, each weighing thousands of tonnes, would need to move in precise coordination, sliding and rotating across the structure reliably over time.

The timeline added another layer of complexity, with just 30 months to deliver.

As construction advanced, the project grew beyond a stadium. A hotel, restaurants, and suites were integrated into the same structure, transforming it into a multi-use destination. Each component ultimately led to a single critical milestone: the first full movement of the roof.

Not in stages. Not in sections.

Across the entire span of the building; exactly as designed.

“There was no other option,” recalled Superintendent Brian Blackman. “This place was going to open.”

It did—on time, and for the world to see.

On June 3, 1989, opening ceremonies moved ahead despite heavy rain, with thousands of attendees watching as the roof opened overhead. Even the weather could not take away from what had been accomplished.

For EllisDon, the SkyDome was not just a milestone project. It demonstrated what is possible when technical expertise is matched with determination and collective effort.

Today, it remains a defining part of our history and a lasting example of taking on what others won’t.