A Premiere Destination for Maine

Topflight facilities to support competitive excellence and gender equity at Maine’s only Division I athletic program.

The Harold Alfond Foundation’s historic investment in Maine and its people includes a $320 million commitment to the University of Maine System to bring transformative change to the state’s largest
educational, research, innovation and talent development asset.

Of that, $170 million will be used for athletic facilities at the University of Maine and the well-being of Maine people, providing support to maintain excellence in the state’s only Division I athletics program, strengthen gender equity, and provide a preferred destination for high school sports championships, large academic fairs and competitions, and community events. All of the university’s students and people from throughout Maine will be able to use the state-of-the-art athletic and convening venues at the state’s flagship university in Orono.

“We are going to build outstanding athletic facilities to support our Black Bear athletes and students and youth from all over the state. Wins for our athletic program and all the work we do to advance the initiatives supported by the Harold Alfond Foundation will include inclusion and community building. We are Maine’s public universities and everyone will be welcome to engage in our programs, use our facilities, and contribute to our success.”
Joan Ferrini-Mundy
President of the University of Maine

The vision of the athletics facilities master plan includes improving the overall UMaine student experience. It also stretches far beyond the campus community as these state-of-the-art facilities will be tailored to host a variety of youth, high school, and community events. The athletics footprint will be equipped to host high school championships, youth club sports, and other regional events as UMaine strives to be a premier destination in Maine for youth activities and statewide gathering.

Initiative leaders are working with campus committees and convening statewide discussions on how the new athletic facilities at UMaine can be used to support other UMS universities, high school athletics, persons with disabilities, athletes of all ages, and other communities that may want utilize these new facilities.  

Learn more about UMaine Athletics: