ORONO, Maine — The University of Maine officially unveiled the New Balance Track & Field and Soccer Complex and the renovated Shawn Walsh Hockey Center and Alfond Arena on Sept. 27.
"The New Balance Track & Field and Soccer Complex and newly renovated Shawn Walsh Hockey Center and Alfond Arena reflect transformational investments in our students, our university and the state," said University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. "With support from the Harold Alfond Foundation, New Balance, U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King and countless supporters, these modernized facilities will elevate the state's only NCAA Division 1 athletic program while creating new opportunities for the people of Maine, especially youth."
The Shawn Walsh Hockey Center and Harold Alfond Sports Arena, UMaine's iconic ice hockey venue, has undergone $48 million in enhancements, including 31,000 square feet of renovations and 21,000 square feet of additions.
A $27.3 million project, the New Balance Track & Field and Soccer Complex features a combined 300,000 square feet of new athletics infrastructure to go along with a new access road and parking lot.
The projects were made possible by the Harold Alfond Foundation's transformational $320 million commitment to the University of Maine System, known as UMS TRANSFORMS, including a $170 million investment in UMaine Athletics to fund the Athletics Facilities Master Plan.
New Balance and individual UMaine supporters have already joined together to raise an additional $32 million toward the $38 million required match. With the Harold Alfond Foundation lead gift, and additional support, UMaine Athletics has raised $202 million of its $208 million overall campaign goal towards the athletics facilities master plan.
The New Balance Track & Field and Soccer Complex features new LED lights, press boxes, and a seating capacity of 525 for soccer and 264 for track & field, providing the Black Bears and their fans with one of the finest venues in the Northeast. Two new scoreboards enhance the soccer facility along with state-of-the-art synthetic turf. A 13 millimeter modernized track surface surrounds a grass field while a quarter-mile of new pedestrian roadways weaves its way along the new complex.
The Shawn Walsh Hockey Center features new locker rooms, modern lighting and the latest technology, making it one of the premier home locker room spaces in Hockey East. The programs will also benefit from a new film room with seating for 42. Upgrades also include improved branding and player entrance to the arena. New offices for the men's and women's head coaches, assistant coaches and support staff will create a new home for the hockey programs.
The downstairs area features state-of-the-art sports medicine and strength and conditioning spaces complete with new hydrotherapy cold and hot tubs as well as larger and more efficient areas for treatment and injury prevention. A newly designed space with upgraded training equipment and new nutrition areas are also included in the renovations.
A new concourse entrance, designed in a modern origami style to complement the highly recognizable Alfond Arena profile, will offer visitors a modernized welcome to the historic building. The expanded concourse includes renovated points of sale for tickets and concessions, a new Bear Necessities fan store and a new hockey "Champions Room" to celebrate and preserve the history of Maine Hockey.
An additional $2.15 million in Congressionally Directed Spending secured by U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Angus King through the FY24 federal budget supported Americans with Disabilities Act (AD) improvements to the Alfond Arena. These upgrades included the addition of an ADA lift from the concourse to the student section balcony seating area, upgrades to the plexiglass at ADA seating areas and ADA modifications to the west concourse bathrooms.
"Officially opening the New Balance Track & Field and Soccer Complex and revealing the renovated Shawn Walsh Hockey Center and Alfond Arena is the next step in our vision of becoming one of the top five Division 1 programs in greater New England," says Director of Athletics Jude Killy. "As Maine's only Division 1 institution, we feel these new and improved facilities will continue our efforts towards becoming the premier destination for athletics in our region. On behalf of our department, I'd like to thank the Harold Alfond Foundation, New Balance and all others who have provided transformational support to make these facilities a reality for our student-athletes and the state of Maine."
The Dexter Lounge has been revamped as one of the signature components of the building. Upgrades to the lounge allow student-athletes, staff, donors and fans to enjoy events, meetings and gatherings to celebrate Maine Athletics. The renovated area also features improved branding to celebrate the history of Maine Hockey as well as recognitions for donors and an improved entrance for premium seat holders.
"These facilities and upgrades happened because generous acts of philanthropy funded them," says Jeff Mills, University of Maine Foundation president. "As a result, countless athletes from UMaine and the community will have many life-building experiences here. Thank you to the Harold Alfond Foundation, New Balance, and many others who contributed."
The Black Bears will host their first official game at the New Balance Soccer Complex on Oct. 2 when the women's soccer team takes on Bryant while the New Balance Track & Field Complex will complete its construction in late October and host its first events during the spring 2026 outdoor track & field season. The first UMaine varsity events inside the newly renovated Shawn Walsh Hockey Center and Alfond Arena will take place on Oct. 10 when the women's ice hockey team hosts St. Anselm prior to the men's team hosting Holy Cross.
WBRC Inc. (Bangor, Maine) and Crawford Architects (Kansas City, Mo.) served as the architects for the renovations and additions to the Shawn Walsh Hockey Center and Alfond Arena. PC Construction (Portland, Maine) with subcontractors began construction of the facility in spring 2024.
WBRC Inc., Crawford Architects, and Activitas (Dedham, Mass./Gorham, Maine) served as the architects for the New Balance Track & Field and Soccer Complex while Consigli Construction (Portland, Maine) served as the construction manager for the facility.
The New Balance Track & Field and Soccer Complex and the Shawn Walsh Hockey Center and Alfond Arena renovation will further UMaine's commitment to providing support to maintain excellence in the state's only Division I athletics program, strengthen gender equity and provide a preferred destination for high school sports championships, competitions and community events.
Both facilities will serve as valuable venues for area youth and high school teams and camps, along with the ability to host state, conference and regional championship events.
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