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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 11 M A R C H 1 8 , 2 0 2 4 B U I L D I N G B U S I N E S S UMaine's tally of athletic center upgrades tops $170 million B y L a u r i e S c h r e i b e r N ew locker rooms, training equipment and sports medicine capabilities are part of planned renovations and upgrades unveiled by the University of Maine for its Harold Alfond Sports Arena and Shawn Walsh Hockey Center. The university and Maine Athletics released highlights that are part of the Harold Alfond Foundation's $170 million investment in UMaine Athletics to fund an athlet- ics facilities master plan. The $170 million is part of the foundation's overall $320 million commitment to the University of Maine System. The money represents one of the largest contribu- tions ever to a college sports program. WBRC Inc. of Bangor and Crawford Architects of Kansas City, Mo., will serve as architects. Construction management will be handled by PC Construction of Portland, with work scheduled to begin this spring. Forty Nine Degrees of Coldwater, Ohio, will lead internal branding efforts. The plan is to build new locker rooms, equipped with modern lighting and tech- nology, for the women's and men's ice hockey teams. There will also be a new film room equipped with seating for 42, and improvements to the branding and to the structure of the tunnel leading to the arena. Connecting the two hockey facilities will be a new concourse entrance, featuring a modern origami building design to complement the Alfond Arena profile. The concourse is intended to be spacious and will include renovated spaces for ticket sales and concessions, as well as a new area for the team store. There will be a new hockey hall of fame for student athletes. An entry to the facility will include Division I program displays of athletics history and accomplishments. New and renovated offices for the women's and men's head coaches, assistant coaches and support staff will be equipped with modern technol- ogy to train and care for student athletes. The Shawn Walsh Hockey Center will be upgraded with state-of-the-art sports medicine and strength and conditioning spaces. New hydrotherapy cold and hot tubs as well as larger, more efficient areas for treatment and injury prevention will be installed. There also will be a redesigned space with upgraded training equipment and new nutrition areas. The Dexter Lounge will be revamped as one of the signature components of the building for student athletes, staff, donors and fans. The renovated area will feature new displays showing the history of Maine hockey, space for donor recognition and an improved entrance for premium seat holders. The school says the upgrades will showcase UMaine's commitment to 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. Some parts of the plans have already been completed, including, video board, football turf, softball complex, field hockey complex and baseball scoreboard. P ROV I D E D R E N D E R I N G / U N I V E R S I T Y O F M A I N E The modern origami-style building design is by WBRC Inc. of Bangor and Crawford Architects of Kansas City, Mo. CONGRATULATIONS TO TIMBERHP AND MAIN ECO HOMES! Two of Hancock Lumber's partners recently received this prestigious award, which recognizes and celebrates the contributions of Maine businesses to the people of Maine and the state's economy. A general contractor and custom homebuilder in Western Maine, Main Eco Homes received the Rural Revitalization Award for their work in transforming the town of Bridgton. Team Hancock Partners Honored with Governor's Award for Business Excellence TimberHP received the Climate Leader Award for innovative work in the forest products industry as a producer of high-performance wood-fi ber based insulation products that are sustainable and environmentally friendly. Governor Janet Mills and TimberHP CEO, Joshua A. Henry Governor Janet Mills and Main Eco Homes Owner, Justin McIver 2024_0306_MeBiz_v2.indd 1 2024_0306_MeBiz_v2.indd 1 3/4/24 4:34 PM 3/4/24 4:34 PM PC Construction will start work on the UMaine athletic center this spring.