Set in rural Waterville, Maine, Thomas College is an institution founded in 1894 that completely relocated its campus by 1971. In 2005, Thomas College received a $1.25 million contribution from the Harold Alfond Foundation to assist with the construction of an athletic center — the largest gift ever received by the college.
The resulting Harold Alfond Athletic Center was designed to function primarily as a recreation facility for the student population but also as an indoor training space for Thomas College?s baseball, softball, basketball, soccer and tennis teams. The field house component features a three-lane track surrounding three multipurpose sports courts. Other amenities include a fitness center, multipurpose aerobics studios, locker rooms and support spaces.
The athletic center?s shell was designed around a pre-engineered structure with brick masonry and architectural metal panels to complement adjacent buildings. A high roof line and the extensive use of interior glazing allows a continuous view from the skylit lobby to the field house.