Thomas College in Waterville, Maine, says that it will begin construction later this year on an athletic facility that is expected to open in early fall 2022.
The college says the 18,000-square-foot athletic center will have strength and conditioning and athletic training space, locker rooms, coaches' offices, an Esports arena, and viewing area.
The facility will create a hub for the Thomas College athletics program and alleviate pressure on the college's existing Harold Alfond Athletic Center so it can be used more easily by the entire campus community.
"Our new athletics facility will be a home for our current and future student-athletes," says Thomas College Athletic Director Christopher Parsons. "This state-of-the-art facility will allow our Terriers to compete at the highest level and help attract high-performing student-athletes to our programs."
"This facility has been part of a phased, strategic, campus master plan," says Thomas College President Laurie G. Lachance. "As Thomas College has grown, so too have our athletic programs, which include 40% of our student population. Plus, we have a large and growing varsity Esports program, including more than 45 students this academic year. Building a home for these programs is critically important to the student experience."
The facility will be funded in part by the college's Guarantee the Future Campaign, which generated more than $30 million in donations.
VIDEO: Fly-through rendering of athletic facility:
