Score! Why the new Alerus Center roof is a win
The project required the removal and replacement of approximately 3,000 squares of roofing.
Herzog Roofing was started as a family business in 1957.
As Herzog Roofing CEO Josh Herzog describes it, “This was the biggest and most complex roof we’ve ever done. Not just in size, but in scope.”
The Alerus Center in Grand Forks was indeed an ambitious roofing project. North Dakota’s second-largest stadium by capacity, it has 20 distinct roof areas, a signature barrel design, and a span of 300,000 square feet.
As a premier venue for concerts, conventions, and University of North Dakota football in a far-northern climate, the project presented a complex technical challenge—requiring a roofing solution that could meet both architectural and performance demands.
No wonder the end result was award-winning.
The Alerus Center project won contractor Herzog Roofing the Architectural Excellence Award at the 2025 Elevate Master Contractor event. This honor highlights projects that set the standard for design, innovation, and performance across North America.
A roofing system that’s up to any challenge
Given the building’s high visibility from the highway and iconic barrel design, the replacement roof needed to have a clean, modern look.
The Alerus Center presents logistical challenges due to its scale, complexity and location. It’s highly visible from the highway, so it requires an appealing aesthetic. It includes elevation changes of up to 100 feet, including 2,500 squares on steeply sloped barrel sections. It’s in a climate where the temperature can swing over 100°F.
Herzog Roofing, an Elevate Red Shield™ contractor, chose to meet the temperature resilience, energy performance and durability demands by selecting an Elevate RubberGard™ Platinum EPDM system reinforced with ISOGARD™ insulation and cover boards. Custom-fabricated Elevate Edge Metal was used to complement the building’s curved architecture, delivering a finish that was both resilient and visually seamless.
The system is designed to stand the test of time—and of the weather, too. Backed by a 30-year Red Shield™ Platinum Warranty and designed to withstand winds up to 90 mph, the system demonstrates the performance, reliability, and innovation that define the Elevate brand within the Amrize portfolio.
The show must go on, as must the integrity of the roof
The Herzog Roofing crew had to sequence and pause work frequently to accommodate major events at the venue.
Undertaken between spring 2023 and summer 2024, this project—which saw the installation of nearly 300,000 square feet of roofing—was completed on time, within budget, and with zero safety incidents. That might sound typical, but the conditions were anything but.
Along with the high winds, extreme temperatures and technical challenges, the Alerus Center has a year-round schedule of games, events and concerts—shows that must go on. The Herzog Roofing crew had to work around this packed calendar while ensuring the roof remained watertight.
Sustainability was a winning factor, too. The insulation from the stadium’s original, deteriorated roof was repurposed locally as fill material—rather than going to the landfill—reducing waste and supporting circular building practices.
An enduring partnership of excellence
The Alerus Center project represents a combination of innovative materials, technical expertise, and collaborative execution. Herzog Roofing is an Elevate Hall of Fame member that has served the Upper Midwest for over 60 years. Elevate systems bring long-term performance and craftsmanship, making Elevate the partner of choice for these types of landmark projects.
“It was a legacy project for our team,” says Josh, “and winning the Elevate Excellence Award made it all the more meaningful. We’re incredibly proud of the result and the partnership it took to get there.”
Congratulations to Herzog Roofing for this well-deserved recognition. It’s an honor to partner on a large-scale project that demonstrates durability, sustainability and architectural precision, leaving an impact on an iconic venue—and its community—for generations to come.