The University of Maine athletics facilities are in the midst of a major rejuvenation, with the recent completion of $50 million in renovations to the Alfond hockey arena and the grand opening of the new $27 million New Balance Track & Field and Soccer Complex.
Now it’s basketball’s turn.
Next up in the school’s athletics facilities master plan is Morse Arena, a new 2,660-seat basketball arena slated to arrive on campus in Orono during the 2027-2028 season.
UMaine athletics announced updated plans for that arena on Wednesday, and provided some renderings of what the project could look like once it’s finished.
The school expects construction on that facility to begin after this current fall semester, and to be completed and ready for use at some point during the 2027-28 basketball season.
That means UMaine women’s and men’s basketball fans will have at least two more full seasons rooting on the Black Bears in the Pit in Memorial Gym.
“We are excited to provide our programs with the high-caliber basketball facility that this state deserves,” said UMaine athletic director Jude Killy in Wednesday’s update. “We believe that we are putting all the pieces in place to make sustained runs at postseason play in college basketball, and Morse Arena is right at the center of that.”
The arena construction is supported by a $10 million gift from 1964 UMaine graduates Phillip and Susan Morse, along with the $170 million investment made by the Harold Alfond Foundation to support the school’s entire athletics facilities master plan.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Harold Alfond Foundation, and Phil and the late Sue Morse, for helping to make this vision a reality,” Killy said.
The project is expected to cost around $80 million, according to the athletic department.
The new facility will be located near the south end of the Alfond stadium and Morse field, where the Black Bears play football, where there is currently a parking lot.
UMaine also plans to host youth sports and other community events at the new facility.
“Morse Arena reflects the power of partnership and investment in our students,” said UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. “This facility will not only strengthen our athletic programs, but also serve as a source of pride and great gathering venue for the university and the state of Maine.”
Like the hockey arena upgrades, the new basketball facility will include new locker rooms and player lounges, along with new offices for the coaching staffs and state-of-the-art performance and training spaces.
Morse Arena will also house a new operations center for the UMaine football program, along with providing some gameday viewing options for home football games as well.
The architectural work for the project is being done by WBRC Inc. in Bangor and Crawford Architects of Kansas City, Missouri, according to the school. Construction management will be provided by Consigli of Portland.