UMaine Athletics hosts groundbreaking for Morse Arena, New Balance Track & Field and Soccer Complex

The University of Maine announced the next steps of its Athletics Facilities Master Plan — including updates to the New Balance Track & Field and Soccer Complex and Morse Arena — on Saturday, Nov. 23 at a ceremonial groundbreaking in the New Balance Field House. 

The projects, and others that have been completed or are in the pipeline, are made possible by a  $320 million commitment from the Harold Alfond Foundation to the University of Maine System (UMS). That includes a $170 million investment in UMaine Athletics to fund its Athletics Facilities Master Plan as part of UMS TRANSFORMS. 

The New Balance Track & Field and Soccer Complex, named for a $7 million commitment from New Balance Athletics, will begin construction this month with a targeted date for opening in October 2025. Morse Arena, named for a $10 million commitment from Phil & Susan Morse, is currently in the schematic design phase and remains on pace to begin construction in the summer or fall of 2025. The arena is anticipated to open for the 2027-28 basketball season.  

Read more about the projects on the UMaine Athletics website. 

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