What's new
By:
USCHO Fan Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.

Maine Offseason 2020: We Stay Home But Swayman Leaves

Status
Not open for further replies.
amkirby10 said:
UMaine announces $110M in renovations and new construction for athletic facilities across campus. Alfond Arena slated to receive "substantial upgrades", including an enlarged entryway and concourse, a new video scoreboard and accompanying ribbon boards, new sound system, improved WiFi, and additions to the Walsh Hockey Center, including new locker rooms for men's and women's hockey, new strength center, new video room, and more.

https://goblackbears.com/news/2021/...ive-110-million-athletic-facilities-plan.aspx
Click to expand...

Was just going to post about this. I think for the Alford it is perfect although it sounds like they are getting rid of bear necessities. I don’t really understand the new soccer field where they only have one team but maybe it is going to be more for high schools?

Is basketball going to be leaving Cross Center?
 
I just watched the whole video. It’s a great plan and makes a ton of sense. Hopefully they can easily raise the money.

edit: I do wonder what their plan is for parking.

Has there ever been a bigger waste of money than the Cross Center?
 
Men's and women's basketball returns to campus with new multi-purpose arena to be built next to Alfond Arena. New Dome with 300 meter track and football field. Doesn't appear to be much planning for parking in this plan.
 
amkirby10 said:
UMaine announces $110M in renovations and new construction for athletic facilities across campus. Alfond Arena slated to receive "substantial upgrades", including an enlarged entryway and concourse, a new video scoreboard and accompanying ribbon boards, new sound system, improved WiFi, and additions to the Walsh Hockey Center, including new locker rooms for men's and women's hockey, new strength center, new video room, and more.
Click to expand...
How about a new coach?
 
Runsub5 said:
How about a new coach?
Click to expand...

Ha, minor detail I guess.

Good too see BBall improvements, womens basketball is now the top team on campus.

Dont understand why the spending so much on football.

Good player improvements for hockey but not a fan experience improvement.
They sell a ton of stuff at bear necessities during hockey games but it will be good to get that out of alfond so they can regulate the temp better in there.
 
NorthMike said:
Ha, minor detail I guess.

Good too see BBall improvements, womens basketball is now the top team on campus.

Dont understand why the spending so much on football.

Good player improvements for hockey but not a fan experience improvement.
They sell a ton of stuff at bear necessities during hockey games but it will be good to get that out of alfond so they can regulate the temp better in there.
Click to expand...

I'd say there are definite fan experience improvements at Alfond, primarily the new sound system and scoreboard. Being able to see replays and not listen thru blown out speakers will be nice.
 
pciTY4K.jpg

The final map of the project.
 
amkirby10 said:
I'd say there are definite fan experience improvements at Alfond, primarily the new sound system and scoreboard. Being able to see replays and not listen thru blown out speakers will be nice.
Click to expand...

Better seats and getting rid of obstructions would higher on my list.
The big video screens tend to distract me too much.
 
NorthMike said:
Better seats and getting rid of obstructions would higher on my list.
The big video screens tend to distract me too much.
Click to expand...

I would also add the very narrow concourse where you have to turn sideways to get by people and the very tiny seats in the lower section with no legroom. How many sound system improvements have there been over the years? Every one of them has not worked. I am not an acoustic engineer, but placing reflective sound panels in the roof peaks would help the sound from being trapped (in my opinion).
 
Runsub5 said:
I would also add the very narrow concourse where you have to turn sideways to get by people and the very tiny seats in the lower section with no legroom. How many sound system improvements have there been over the years? Every one of them has not worked. I am not an acoustic engineer, but placing reflective sound panels in the roof peaks would help the sound from being trapped (in my opinion).
Click to expand...

My understanding is they are going to expand the concourse which will be nice. Hopefully UMaine dining takes over concessions again.

I hope they never change the seating. I would rather people be jam packed and have the electric atmosphere versus seats being spread out and not having the atmosphere.

Hopefully this brings another period like we had at the turn of the century when all the major sports were competitive.
 
It seems like the decision was "all this neat stuff" or "one hockey arena." Can't really blame the school for going this direction, and everything looks awesome.
 
AMC said:
It seems like the decision was "all this neat stuff" or "one hockey arena." Can't really blame the school for going this direction, and everything looks awesome.
Click to expand...

Overall, it does look awesome!! Except for parking. The University should have put up a parking garage years ago.
 
AMC said:
It seems like the decision was "all this neat stuff" or "one hockey arena." Can't really blame the school for going this direction, and everything looks awesome.
Click to expand...

Runsub5 said:
Overall, it does look awesome!! Except for parking. The University should have put up a parking garage years ago.
Click to expand...

Agreed on both of these posts.

Another $50 million and we would have had a new hockey arena.....but they did the most prudent and sensible plan. I really hope that they follow through with these plans because it all looks stunning.

The parking is an issue....especially in the winter when no one wants to park a mile away and freeze their arses off. I do think that there is an opportunity to add a parking garage in the remaining lot South of the planned basketball facility.
 
AMC said:
It seems like the decision was "all this neat stuff" or "one hockey arena." Can't really blame the school for going this direction, and everything looks awesome.
Click to expand...

Yup. The three womens fields, basketball complex, locker rooms, fitness areas are all sorely needed. More so than the old girl.
Its a great overall plan for the school. Seems like alot for 110 mil.
 
Drew S. said:
I hope they never change the seating. I would rather people be jam packed and have the electric atmosphere versus seats being spread out and not having the atmosphere.
.
Click to expand...

I like the crowded feel too but those bench seats. They aren't wide enough unless your 10, the guys knees behind you are in your back, my knees are in the persons armpits in front of me. I cant even get my legs in those lower section seats. The donor seats are good but pricey for the product on the ice.

Sound system is another area they never fixed. If your in a box you cant hear it. Otherwise its not too bad but could use help for sure. As long as they dont want it like a rock concert in there so you cant even talk to the person next to you.
 
AMC said:
It seems like the decision was "all this neat stuff" or "one hockey arena." Can't really blame the school for going this direction, and everything looks awesome.
Click to expand...

Would you really want Maine to be playing in a place like the Cross Center or Verizon in Manchester? I think that would be awful after all of the wonderful years in the Alfond. I've visited all the rinks in Hockey East along with some ECAC rinks and the oldest ones are by far the best.
 
AMC said:
Football is scheduled to play a six game season starting March 6.
Click to expand...

I have no idea about who has opted out, or who Maine has scheduled, but I'm all-in. I'd hate to see the momentum disappear.

Football has been a major factor at Maine for years now. Far more nationally prominent than Red's bad hockey.
 
Last edited:
It all looks great. Comprehensive. Exciting.

Only thing about renovating and adding to Alfond is like..... the original Shawn Walsh center addition is only 15 years old. For 10
Of those years we’ve heard nothing but moaning about how the facilities and the budget stink and can’t produce a winner. So whys this one gonna be different?
 
BoSox3066 said:
It all looks great. Comprehensive. Exciting.

Only thing about renovating and adding to Alfond is like..... the original Shawn Walsh center addition is only 15 years old. For 10
Of those years we’ve heard nothing but moaning about how the facilities and the budget stink and can’t produce a winner. So whys this one gonna be different?
Click to expand...

Nice facilities don't hurt, but decent recruiting/coaching is easily more important. Whole bunches of programs have had a Hell of a lot more hockey success than has have had Red's Maine while using even more humble digs.

Red couldn't recruit if he offered the boys home games in the TD and a pre-game visit from Stormy. He's a complete failure and should be ashamed to draw a paycheck from Maine taxpayers.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top