Northeastern exploring alternatives to Matthews Arena, world's oldest hockey rink

[ClOuD 9]

UPDATE - 5/29/24
Northeastern files letter of intent with the city of Boston to construct new multipurpose arena on Matthews Arena plot: https://www.bostonplans.org/projects...-arena-project

​​​​​Hat tip to the Northeastern Hockey Blog
https://northeasternhockeyblog.com/g...purpose-arena/

Original post:
Per the Huntington News
​​​​​

“Matthews Arena is more than a century old and reaching the end of its useful life,” the university said. “It has recently undergone structural modifications that will temporarily extend its use. Simultaneously, the university has been making long-term assessments regarding the increasing demand for state-of-the-art athletic and recreational facilities, and the existing building’s limitations to meet them.”

Finally, concern lies with the arena’s historical value. Matthews Arena is not just a figurehead of Northeastern’s campus, but also a major part of Boston’s history. The former Boston Arena is the original home of both the Bruins and the Celtics, the site of America’s first NHL game and the oldest hockey rink in the world. Over the past 114 years, the arena has established itself as a monument to sports, garnering national honor.

‘Reaching the end of its useful life’: As historic Matthews Arena faces foundational issues, Northeastern weighs new arena
https://huntnewsnu.com/78197/sports/...ghs-new-arena/

 

[Crimson Faced]

That's unfortunate. It is easily accessible by the T and the sightlines are good, for the most part. The thing about the arena I find jarring is the huge video board overhanging the ice, find it a distraction.

 

[OnePack]

A shame for sure. Definitely needed some polishing, but to have the structural issues probably seals it to an unfortunate fate.

projects like this usually require an anchor donor in the tens of millions plus a couple times that from others. I havnt seen a large campaign specifically for this, but also not the kind of alum that would get a call

 

[Split-N]

I'm less concerned about funding than I am about whatever the ultimate plan might be getting torpedoed by Boston pols and/or historic preservationists. NU has grown a goodly number of well-heeled alums over the years although maybe not a clone of Terry Pegula. I'm guessing a capital campaign won't be announced unless and until the political/environmental/preservation issues get settled.

Good point by Mr. Crimson about the current arena's immediate proximity to two subway lines and several bus lines. Easily the easiest college venue to get to for anyone unable or unwilling to pay the going price for B's/C's tickets (assuming you can get them) and a feature NU has never exploited.

 

[BC/HE]

Back when BC was building Conte on the site of McHugh Forum, BC played their home games mostly at Walter Brown Arena and Watson Rink. I would think that Northeastern would be best suited to knock down Matthews and rebuild on the same site if possible. I am sure that somehow the other Boston area schools would find room to fill in some of those home games. Walter Brown Arena at BU would appear to be the best bet as it is their second on campus rink. It would be wonderful to play a game or two before a Bruins game at the Garden too.

 

[Drew S.]

Does Northeastern have any places they can put a new arena besides where Matthews is located? It sounds like the land underneath Matthews is dodgy and no room to expand.

 

[Split-N]

Does Northeastern have any places they can put a new arena besides where Matthews is located?...

In a word, no. NU's campus is in the heart of the city. Pretty much all of the available land already has buildings sitting on it so, really no place to go. There's a sizeable parcel of city-owned derelict land directly adjacent to one end of the campus that NU has been trying to acquire for decades but it has been stymied at every turn by political interests.

 

[mookie1995]

the whole nu campus is prime real estate. a forward thinking leader may look to sell it all and replant the school into another area of either the city or suburb (everett??). then do a new ice rink right.

is the old football field still nu property? or has that been redeveloped? it's been so long and mookie hasn't paid any attention to know.

 

[Scarlet]

Back when BC was building Conte on the site of McHugh Forum, BC played their home games mostly at Walter Brown Arena and Watson Rink. I would think that Northeastern would be best suited to knock down Matthews and rebuild on the same site if possible. I am sure that somehow the other Boston area schools would find room to fill in some of those home games. Walter Brown Arena at BU would appear to be the best bet as it is their second on campus rink. It would be wonderful to play a game or two before a Bruins game at the Garden too.

Except that WBA is undergoing renovations and BU’s women’s team will be playing at Agganis next season because of it.

 

[Snively65]

the whole nu campus is prime real estate. a forward thinking leader may look to sell it all and replant the school into another area of either the city or suburb (everett??). then do a new ice rink right.

is the old football field still nu property? or has that been redeveloped? it's been so long and mookie hasn't paid any attention to know.

Exactly what Bentley did by moving from Copley Square to Waltham and Bryant did by moving from downtown Providence to Smithfield in the late 1960’s. Maybe NU could sidle up next to Nightshift Brewing in Everett?

 

[rpi82]

Exactly what Bentley did by moving from Copley Square to Waltham and Bryant did by moving from downtown Providence to Smithfield in the late 1960’s. Maybe NU could sidle up next to Nightshift Brewing in Everett?

Absolutely. I’m sure the 100,000 kids that apply to Northeastern each year would follow them from the Back Bay to Everett. Hell, they could buy half of Lynn or Lawrence with the proceeds and have plenty left over. The kids will love it.

 

[Harry Cleverly]

That would be disappointing. Matthews is old, but is a great old hockey barn. The sight lines are fine and it can generate a great atmosphere that the new buildings don't duplicate. The upper desk is a great place to watch hockey or basketball.
Northeastern has done a nice job with multiple refurbishments over the years.

 

[mookie1995]

Absolutely. I’m sure the 100,000 kids that apply to Northeastern each year would follow them from the Back Bay to Everett. Hell, they could buy half of Lynn or Lawrence with the proceeds and have plenty left over. The kids will love it.

Works for newton college.

 

[Scarlet]

That would be disappointing. Matthews is old, but is a great old hockey barn. The sight lines are fine and it can generate a great atmosphere that the new buildings don't duplicate. The upper desk is a great place to watch hockey or basketball.
Northeastern has done a nice job with multiple refurbishments over the years.

Well except if you're sitting in the seats next to the press box. Sitting there, you miss part of the rink. Other than that, I agree with your comments.

Back when Conte was being built, BC did play the majority of their home games at WBA. When BC had the home game against BU, we played that game at the Garden.

 

[navy44]

the whole nu campus is prime real estate. a forward thinking leader may look to sell it all and replant the school into another area of either the city or suburb (everett??). then do a new ice rink right.

is the old football field still nu property? or has that been redeveloped? it's been so long and mookie hasn't paid any attention to know.

Old Parsons Field is now Friedmand Diamond, home of the baseball team. Not sure if its used for anything else aside from baseball these days.

 

[Split-N]

...Not sure if it's used for anything else aside from baseball these days.

Soccer

 

[paulfb]

In a word, no. NU's campus is in the heart of the city. Pretty much all of the available land already has buildings sitting on it so, really no place to go. There's a sizeable parcel of city-owned derelict land directly adjacent to one end of the campus that NU has been trying to acquire for decades but it has been stymied at every turn by political interests.

Any room on NU's newer holdings on the Roxbury side of the tracks, or would that be too unpopular politically? I know community groups around Roxbury have objected to some of NU's expansion.

 

[Split-N]

Any room on NU's newer holdings on the Roxbury side of the tracks, or would that be too unpopular politically? I know community groups around Roxbury have objected to some of NU's expansion.

You answered your own question. See Post #7.

 

[Drew S.]

This is a little outside the box but is there any chance they would go in on a new arena with Stonehill and maybe build it somewhere halfway like Quincy or Braintree? If that wasn’t an option could they potentially build an arena on their own somewhere off of 128 where land is more plentiful? Obviously having an arena on campus is really nice to have but it seems like with their situation might not be feasible.

 

[rpi82]

In a word, no. NU's campus is in the heart of the city. Pretty much all of the available land already has buildings sitting on it so, really no place to go. There's a sizeable parcel of city-owned derelict land directly adjacent to one end of the campus that NU has been trying to acquire for decades but it has been stymied at every turn by political interests.

I was trying to figure out what property you are discussing. It's been a few years since I was in the area but it seemed Northeastern had purchased every property possible on Columbus. Are they looking to hop over Tremont near IV or perhaps Ruggles? I could definitely envision community opposition to that. Perhaps they could get the land on the other side of the tracks from Matthews, but I think some of that is designated parkland so that's another political nightmare. The only other thing I could imagine would be to get the city to agree to a taking of the end of Gainsborough St so they could tear down the ancient garage and build an arena there. I don't think the garage property would be big enough by itself. Then they could build a modern garage on the Matthews site to service the school, new Matthews, the Huntington, the conservatory and Symphony Hall. That might get some community and political support.