ORONO, Maine — Oct. 23, 2025 — The University of Maine has officially unveiled plans for Morse Arena, a new 2,660-seat basketball venue made possible by a $10 million gift from 1964 UMaine graduates Phillip and Susan Morse. The project is part of a $320 million investment from the Harold Alfond Foundation, including $170 million dedicated to the Athletics Facilities Master Plan under UMS TRANSFORMS.
.webp)
The arena will be situated near the south end of Alfond Stadium and Morse Field, stretching from just behind the south end zone to the edge of Long Road, covering the North Gym parking lot area. Construction is scheduled to begin after the 2025 fall semester, with the facility expected to be ready for the 2027-28 basketball season.
“Morse Arena reflects the power of partnership and investment in our students,” said University of Maine 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.”
The arena will serve as the home court for both men’s and women’s basketball teams while also hosting youth and community events, reinforcing UMaine’s role as a hub for statewide sports and engagement.
“We are excited to provide our programs with the high-caliber basketball facility that this state deserves,” said UMaine Director of Athletics Jude Killy. “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. We are incredibly grateful to the Harold Alfond Foundation, and Phil and the late Sue Morse, for helping to make this vision a reality.”
The arena will feature an intimate fan experience, including chairback, bleacher, and courtside seating. A 4,000-square-foot club area will host events and premium seating, with gameday viewing options for football and basketball. The space will also accommodate community meetings and celebrations, with room for 300 guests.
.webp)
Student-athletes will benefit from new locker rooms and lounges, a dedicated film room, and modern dining and nutrition facilities. New offices for coaching staff, as well as upgraded visiting team locker rooms, will support both competitive and community use.
Morse Arena will also house state-of-the-art sports performance facilities, featuring hot and cold recovery pools, rehabilitation spaces, and over 6,000 square feet dedicated to speed, strength, and agility training. Combined with existing facilities, Maine Athletics will offer more than 12,000 square feet of training space for over 450 student-athletes.
Additionally, the arena will serve as the new football operations center, with staff offices, conference rooms, and direct stair access to Morse Field. Fans will enter a spacious lobby showcasing Black Bear branding and displays of athletics history, alongside a new box office and administrative offices.
WBRC Inc. (Bangor, Maine) and Crawford Architects (Kansas City, Missouri) are leading the architectural design, with Consigli (Portland, Maine) handling construction management. Forty Nine Degrees (Coldwater, Ohio) will lead the internal branding efforts.
The Morse Arena project represents a major step in UMaine’s mission to become one of the top Division-I athletic programs in New England, combining elite facilities, community engagement, and enhanced student-athlete support.
Originally reported by Go Black Bears.
.webp)
