ORONO — Right now, the area surrounding the southern edge of Alfond Arena is a fenced-in muddy crater. By the end of 2025, though, it could be the most visible piece of the University of Maine’s athletic facilities improvement project to date. Construction began this spring on improvements at Alfond Arena, which opened in 1977 as home to the school’s hockey programs and was renovated in 1992.
When this 4,900-square foot expansion is complete, the arena will feature a new entrance, updated concourses and new concessions, as well as a new team store and Maine Hockey Hall of Fame. The men’s and women’s hockey teams will also have new locker and weight rooms, team offices, team lounges, and a video room. “We’re super excited for the opportunity for our student-athletes, first and foremost.
It’s moving along at a really good pace and on time,” said UMaine Athletic Director Jude Killy, who toured the construction site Wednesday afternoon with media. Kiley was joined by Jacob Olsen, project manager for the UMaine system. The Alfond Arena expansion and renovation is part of ongoing improvements to the university’s athletic infrastructure.
Made possible by a $170 million gift from the Harold Alfond Foundation, projects already completed include a $9.5 million softball complex, a new turf field hockey field, and a dome practice facility. Future projects include a new soccer field and track, improvements to Alfond Stadium (home of the football team), and Morse Arena,.