BIDDEFORD — Under sunny October skies and 80-degree temperatures, University of New England formally broke ground on its $20 million 105,000-square-foot athletics complex on UNE’s Biddeford Campus.

In 1995, the Harold Alfond Foundation donated $2.5 million to build UNE’s first academic building, the Harold Alfond Center for Health Sciences, which remains the anchor for UNE’s medical school, the only one in Maine. Ripich stated, “Today, with those seeds having firmly taken root, we celebrate another milestone – the Harold Alfond Athletics Complex, reflecting the foundation’s $10 million gift, our largest ever.”

Two UNE student-athletes also expressed their thanks: Michelle Oswald, of Jay, standout player on the UNE field hockey team, and Scott McManaman, of Nova Scotia, member of the UNE ice hockey team. Oswald, a former all-state player from Mt. Blue High School and now a forward with UNE’s undefeated team said, “Harold Alfond’s gift is immeasurable. It will enhance life-long wellness for many fortunate generations. It will be a source of pride within the university, and with the community. On behalf of the students at UNE – thank you.”

The Harold Alfond Athletics Complex is being constructed adjacent to UNE’s blue turf field and new residence hall off Pool Street in Biddeford.

The new facility will provide the largest gathering space on both the Biddeford and Portland campuses. The project includes a 105,000-square-foot athletics complex featuring an ice hockey rink with 900 seats, a basketball court with 1,200 seats, classroom space, a fitness center and multi-purpose indoor practice courts that can also be used for performances and other events, with a combined seating capacity of 3,000.

The $10 million commitment from the Alfond Foundation includes a challenge grant. When UNE has successfully matched the $7 million Alfond gift with other donations in support of its mission, the foundation will gift an additional $3 million to be used for interprofessional health workforce education.

The facility is expected to be completed in fall 2012. For more information, visit www.une.edu.