[Wildcat18]

So Freaking Jealous....Looks awesome, an expensive price tag but its something that once its done... the school wont have to put in major athletic facilities for literally 100 years. some turf and upkeep sure but nothing crazy. Unless they wanna eventually replace the football stadium stands.

 

[mainejeff]

The Maine Softball Complex had its grand opening today....was a chilly but beautiful day in Orono. Maine beat Albany 7-6 in their inaugural game (they lost 8-0 in the nightcap). Nice ceremony before the game complete with band, mascot and many speakers.

 

[mainejeff]

Maine Field Hockey Complex construction continues to move along.....

 

[ccd494]

For the first time in a long time, UMaine is hosting high school regional finals this week. One baseball and two softball. It's not much, but it is a start. A big part of this was getting more kids on campus during their high school years to not just recruit athletes, but students. Looking forward to that continuing and expanding into field hockey and soccer when those facilities are completed.

 

[mainejeff]

Field Hockey Complex progress....

 

[mainejeff]

 

[Goblackbears]

Basketball Arena some decade.

 

[mainejeff]

Basketball Arena some decade.

I’m anxious to see shovels in the ground as well but I’m OK with a thorough review and plan for this facility. They need to get this thing right and there are some aspects that I hope they are re-examining.

 

[Goblackbears]

I’m anxious to see shovels in the ground as well but I’m OK with a thorough review and plan for this facility. They need to get this thing right and there are some aspects that I hope they are re-examining.

Every year the cost to build it rises.

 

[mainejeff]

 

[mainejeff]

 

[mainejeff]

This is from earlier in the week....

UMaine System hopes to invest $1.2 billion in 400 projects over the next 5 years

Saying an investment in the schools' infrastructure is overdue, leaders of the system and the individual universities laid out capital plans for the next 5 years at a board of trustees meeting Monday.

www.pressherald.com

UMaine - Orono plans to spend $848 million over the next 5 years including $100 million on new dormitory, $32 million on existing dorm renovations, and $80 million on health sciences academic building. I assume $110 million of the $848 million is the already announced athletics master plan. Don't know where they are going to get all of the money but if this comes to fruition.....wow.

 

[mainejeff]

We finally have our first anticipated completion date for Maine's new basketball arena......December 2026!

Other tidbits:

• Seating capacity will be 2,500-3,000 (hopefully more toward 3K)
• Club lounge will have views to basketball court and football field.
• Track will be removed from around football field and"visitor" bleachers torn down and rebuilt closer to field.
• New track and field complex with seating for 350 to be completed May 2025.
• New soccer field with seating for 500 to be completed August 2025.

https://umaine.edu/ofm/wp-content/uploads/sites/225/2023/10/RFQ-CM@Risk_AthleticsNewMultiComplex.pdf

 

[Goblackbears]

I wonder if we will ever see chairbacks on all seats in Alfond?

 

[mainejeff]

I wonder if we will ever see chairbacks on all seats in Alfond?

Arena or Stadium?

 

[Goblackbears]

Arena or Stadium?

Arena

 

[dunbar]

Arena

Only if you wanna lose another 800-1000 seats

 

[Goblackbears]

Only if you wanna lose another 800-1000 seats

Just do the sides then.

 

[mainejeff]

Only if you wanna lose another 800-1000 seats

Not sure they would lose that many.....but they would definitely lose some capacity. I think that there are plenty of chair backs now....and if people really want them then buy season tickets because there are plenty of them when they go on sale.

 

[dunbar]

Not sure they would lose that many.....but they would definitely lose some capacity. I think that there are plenty of chair backs now....and if people really want them then buy season tickets because there are plenty of them when they go on sale.

Even if they converted the upper side sections to all chairbacks similar to the bottom of those sections, you'd lose about 650 seats.

I think think it's a mistake retaining that building for hockey. They really should build a new hockey arena and retrofit the Alfond for basketball only. To rely on Alfond to be the largest indoor facility on campus for the next half century is foolish at best.