Since April 2024, the Alfond Arena has been under construction. As a part of the UMS Athletic Transformation Plan and the Athletic Equity Plan, it will provide more opportunities for both the Men’s and Women’s athletic teams. Project manager Elizabeth Simonds shared information about what is happening with the Alfond construction and the project’s overall goals.
Although the updates will benefit the student athletes the most, the Alfond Arena will have a familiar but new presence that will increase the fan experience by adding 4,900 sq. ft. to the entrance, a new team store and new concessions areas.
“The new areas and the new entrance will liven up the building,” Simonds says. Along with those new graphics, and branding down the main concourse, the branding and graphics will highlight former players and really highlight how amazing the Maine Hockey Program is.”
Another main goal is to provide UMaine students with entertainment. Sports are a significant entertainment component of the university during the week and weekend for students. They want to ensure the campus invites students to stay in the area. The goal is for students to want to be a part of the community.
The construction will be completed for the 2025-26 hockey season. Fans and athletes will enter the newly-renovated Alfond Arena. The phases are in place to allow the student-athletes to have access to their locker rooms and the fitness center this season. Next summer, the locker rooms and fitness center will be taken over by the construction to finish the project. Athletes will have access to the rink while the last part of the construction is underway.
“The phases allow the athletes to continue practicing and playing as they usually would,” said Simonds.
When asked about what she thought the long-term impacts were, Simonds shared that it is to “give student-athletes space that they can live in and expand into for many generations to come.” The Shawn Walsh Center was built in the early 2000s, and the Alfond Arena was built in the 1970s.
“We have grown into it, and now we need to grow beyond what was there previously,” Simonds said. She believes that the overall goal is “to have a really amazing long-term space for these really great D1 athletes.”
With all the new high-end finishes, a new entry tunnel will get both mens’ and womens’ teams excited as they head onto the ice. This new area gives both the womens’ and mens’ teams the same home corridor and will have updated graphics and lighting to get them excited as they step onto the ice and ready to play the game.
Starting this season, the fans will see the new lighting package and a whole new digital lighting system that will improve the fan experience with various color modes and effects. The video board that was new this past season was just the start of the updates to the Alfond.
An Alfond Arena Beer Garden is opening this season. This area will have updated flooring, painting and lighting throughout the space. The Beer Garden will be located on the west concourse.
The past few years was just the start of it all. In 2026, fans and players can expect to see the completion of the project. UMaine Athletics is eager for everyone to experience the new renovations starting next season.