Alfond Foundation providing $80 million for athletic facility upgrades

The Harold Alfond Foundation is providing an $80 million supplement in financial support for athletic facility improvements at the University of Maine, which will benefit all 17 varsity programs at Maine’s only Division I athletic program. 

The gift increases the Alfond Foundation’s total commitment to UMaine Athletics to $170 million, representing one of the largest single contributions to a Division I athletics program. It’s part of the organization’s broader commitment to the University of Maine Systems as part of UMS TRANSFORMS, a multi-pronged initiative that has also involved boosting student retention and success and building both a Maine Graduate and Professional Center and Maine College of Engineering and Computing.

The $80 million and additional funds raised through gifts and pledges will provide the support needed for various upcoming projects, including a 13,000 square-foot addition to the Shawn Walsh Center that will feature renovated strength and conditioning facilities, new film room, recovery rooms, team offices, expanded locker rooms, team lounges and a 4,900-square-foot expansion to Alfond Arena.

The funding will also assist in the construction of the Morse Arena, the future home of Maine men’s and women’s basketball, along with improvements to Mahaney Diamond and Mahaney clubhouse; the repositioning of, and installment, of new visiting sideline bleachers at Alfond Stadium, along with upgraded football operations areas; and the replacement of the Mahaney Dome with a connector to Memorial Gymnasium. 

 “The Harold Alfond Foundation’s continued support of the University of Maine and UMaine athletics is unparalleled,”  says UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. “This support will have a long-lasting impact on current and future student-athletes, and the entire UMaine community that will engage with these facilities. These beautiful new venues will provide opportunities for Maine people to gather and build community through athletics and more.” 

Read the full story about the gift and its benefits on the UMaine Athletics website. 

Contact: Tyson McHatten, tyson.mchatten@maine.edu