FARMINGTON – A grand opening ceremony will be held on Dec. 2 at 4:45 p.m., at University of Maine at Farmington’s Dearborn Gymnasium, to commemorate the re-opening of the historic facility for the first home collegiate games. The celebration of the completion of the six-month renovation project takes place just prior to the women’s and men’s basketball games against conference opponent Maine Maritime Academy. These events are free and open to the public and donations are acceptable at the gate.
The historic facility was built in 1963 and underwent extensive construction in May to remove the hardwood floor and modernize the gymnasium.
“When I played here, the home team enthusiasm was great, and it was a tough place for an opponent. Even as late as the last few years, the atmosphere has been as good as any place in the state,” UMF men’s basketball coach Dick Meader ’67 said about the site of the renovations.
The new hard wood floor is made from first grade maple and is a Connor Sport system installed by New England Sport Courts who also coordinated the custom and exciting graphic scheme is painted on the floor, including the maroon Beaverhead logo at center court. Prior to the construction, four rows of bleachers escaladed on each side of the gymnasium. Now, nine rows of maroon, automated Hussey bleachers exist on the west side of the floor. The new bleachers are designed for more comfort. They conveniently extend from the one primary entry the length of the court and seat significantly more people than the previous system.
“This has been a long-time coming, we appreciate everyone’s patience, and we couldn’t be more proud of the results,” Director of Athletics, Fitness, and Recreation Julie Davis said. “The upgrade of a new floor and new equipment will benefit coaches and student-athletes daily in practice, while the new bleacher orientation will improve the player and fan experience.”
All six backstops and boards were replaced with new Porter, single pole systems that are retractable and automated. The game pair have a new set of Daktronic shot clocks that are integrated with the relocated scoreboards.
“With teams and the official score table located across the gym from the bleachers, no one will need to dash across the baseline during the game to get to their seats,” Davis said. “This configuration minimizes distractions for players and coaches and improves the experience for fans. The new bleachers have the full compliment of aisles, railings, ADA accommodations and a permanent filming perch and we can seat more than 500 people now as well.”
The existing scoreboards have been relocated the east side corners of the facility. An automated and retractable batting cage is hanging from the rafters on the north side of court.
A quieter, more energy-efficient HVAC heating and cooling system replaced the preexisting and failing system.
“Beyond sporting events and practices, Dearborn is used for other campus assemblies and summer conferences. The new orientation for seating and staging plus a new sound system will improve the venue for all such community functions,” Davis added. The new sound system replaced an aged system for a more crisp, vibrant sound in contrast to the vintage system before the renovations.
“Alumni and current student-athletes will be proud of what we created here and talented recruits will be attracted to this space,” Davis went on to say. “Coaches, trainers, event managers and custodians will appreciate the upgrade in orientation and motorized automation. All in all, the upgrades make this a great space for a multitude of activities. A number of factors make basketball games our best opportunity to engage to largest cross section of campus community. We expect to fill the gym routinely and foster fun events that engender campus pride and spirit all season long.”
