Matty writes:
>anyone know the current status of the new rink at UNH-durham?
 
Construction of the $26.5 million recreational sports complex began in early
September.  The official ground breaking took place this past Saturday (11/12).
The scheduled completion date is Sept. 30, 1995 and work is currently on
schedule.
 
As of now, Snively Arena has been gutted and the back wall completely removed.
Excavation is going on behind Snively where the new 6,000 seat ice arena will
be located.  Snively will become a multi-level recreation center with fitness
center, aerobics, indoor track, multi-purpose courts, etc.  The two buildings
will be connected by an entry lobby which will serve as the main entrance for
both.
 
When you enter the new ice arena (it will also be used for basketball and other
events) you will enter at a level above the seats.  At this level wil be
concessions and rest rooms and you walk down to your seats.  There will be no
aisles between the seats and boards/glass so people getting up won't interfere
with watching the action.  Seating will be circular (actually oval) around the
arena.  The rest room facilities will have nearly twice as many stations for
women than men because studies show that women take on average twice as long as
men. So the ladies can also get to the rest room and back during a break
between periods without missing any action.
 
I'm hopeful that the new arena will be filled and the crowd will be able to
generate crowd noise and enthusiasm like they did in Snively.  Playing home
games in Portland and Manchester this year makes me wonder.  Friday night in
Manchester the place was packed (2600 capacity) and had an atmosphere much like
Snively.  The Friday before in Portland was another story.  Even though there
were 5200+ there it was nothing like Snively.  Whether it was the arena or the
fact that half the crowd was rooting for Maine, I'm not sure.
 
BTW... When Maine plays UNH in Portland its not exactly an away game for them.
They have as much crowd support as UNH.  It may not be Alfond but its not
Snively or Walter Brown either.
 
Bruce Spencer
Dir of Budget and Finance
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