The stadium was first proposed in 1978 by the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, then headed by journalistRon Gomez, a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1980 to 1989. The project was authorized during the administration of Governor David C. Treen and completed in 1985, during the administration of Mayor William Dudley "Dud" Lastrapes, Jr., at a cost of $64 million. Gomez envisioned a building for both university and municipal needs. In his autobiography, Gomez describes the project and its architect, Neil Nehrbass of Lafayette, accordingly:
Several of his peers openly questioned Nehrbass' ability to handle such an immense project. They had a good basis for their anxiety since Neil had never taken on such a colossal building. He was known, rather for his non-traditional and sometimes avant-garde designs. Nehrbass and I had been acquainted many years, and he recognized my passion for this project. We talked at great length about the building and the uses for it. Neil was the consummate artist. He dressed flamboyantly, chain smoked gold-tipped, pastel-colored cigarettes which he imported from England and was definitely not a sports fan. He had never attended a USL basketball game. But he was enthusiastic about this new project and visited the recently-opened domed facility in Biloxi, Mississippi, and Madison Square Garden in New York City to gain insight on how he would make the Lafayette structure unique.
Renovations
The arena underwent a $20 million renovation in 2016, providing seating, concession, accessibility and signage upgrades to the venue.
The Louisiana IceGators of the East Coast Hockey League played host in the Cajundome from 1995 to 2005. During that time, the arena earned the nickname 'The Frozen Swamp'. In 2005, the franchise folded due to financial problems and drops in attendance after the IceGators were in the Top 4 for attendance in the ECHL. In 2009, Danny Smith, a local businessman, decided to bring back the Louisiana IceGators but this time in the Southern Professional Hockey League. A few months after Smith bought it, the franchise was sold to E.C. "Chuck" Anselmo, Jr. and E.C. "Chuck" Anselmo, III. In their first season, the IceGators played at Blackham Coliseum. In their second season, the IceGators moved to the Cajundome. In early 2016, the Louisiana IceGators and the SPHL announced that the IceGators would suspend operations for the 2016–17 season citing that the arena renovations would not be completed in time for the season.
The Cajundome was home to the Lafayette SwampCats of the EISL from 1997 to 1998.
Top 10 sports crowds at the Cajundome
11,479 vs. Loyola Marymount
11,137 vs. New Orleans
10,802 vs. New Orleans
10,651 vs. Massachusetts
10,487 vs. Georgia
09,715 vs. Western Kentucky
09,153 vs. New Orleans
09,121 vs. South Alabama
09,121 vs. Western Kentucky
09,086 vs. Lamar
Convention Center
In 2002, a new convention center addition to the arena was built. The new addition added 37,301 square feet of exhibit hall space to the Cajundome's 40,000 square feet of arena floor space plus 39,685 square feet of meeting space including a 15,682 square foot ballroom, 12,159 square feet of prefunction space and a 17,590 square foot outdoor mall holding up to 2,118 for outdoor events. The Cajundome Convention Center offers multiple meeting space options ranging from a small board room of 10 guests to a 4,000 guest general session. These spaces can accommodate a number of events including corporate and leisure trade shows, corporate meetings and events, theater style presentations, private or public receptions and banquets, non-profit fundraising events, school dances and graduation ceremonies and celebrations, just to name a few. Rentals include assistance from our experiences and knowledgeable staff, easy load-in and access, and free on-site parking. Artisan Catering is the exclusive caterer for the Cajundome Convention Center. Artisan's experienced and award winning culinary team is ready to plan your next event, and no matter how elaborate your vision is, can coordinate its culinary efforts with other local vendors to streamline the entire process for you. The Cajundome Convention Center is also home to the annual Lafayette Home and Garden show and the Louisiana's Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership Conference.
Use as a shelter
In 2005, following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and soon after Hurricane Rita, the Cajundome became one of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's evacuee shelters. Staffed by Red Cross, Salvation Army, Americorp and a host of local charities, the facility became a center of relief for thousands. The recently opened Convention Center addition was also utilized as a distribution logistics point and also housed a Special Needs Clinic. This clinic served those needing additional care not deemed urgent or emergency by local area hospitals.
