St Lawrence University has raised 11.5 million dollars to renovate one the most iconic athletic venues in the North Country. Appelton Arena, the home of St. Lawrence University’s men’s and women’s hockey teams has been a memorable athletic venue in Canton and surrounding communities for generations. The St. Lawrence University Athletic Department announced plans to renovate the arena in the spring of 2018 following two significant financial contributions.
Interior of Appleton Arena. Google
Appelton Arena was opened in Jan. 1951 and has the capacity to hold 3,200 spectators for a multitude of athletic and extracurricular events. The wooden seating and ambiance seen throughout the arena has remained largely unchanged, making it a staple of the universities athletic department and hockey programs. Although the arena does have an old-school feel keeping that ambiance is a focus point of the project. “The ambiance and wooden bleachers will remain and be a center point for the renovation,” said Franco Bari, the university’s Associate Athletic Director. In addition to the hockey program it also holds locker rooms for men’s and women’s lacrosse and field hockey teams.
St. Lawrence University’s Associate Athletic Director and Director for Game Management Franco Bari reflected on the project, “the plan started as a vision to grow and develop the university’s D1 hockey program and extend the growth to the other D3 sports at SLU.” Bari said. St. Lawrence University offers a lone D1 hockey program but offers a multitude of D3 programs. Appelton Arena is used by both D1 and D3 sports teams making it the epicenter of the sports program at SLU.
According to the university’s website the plans were put into motion “when two significant financial contributions made the plans to renovate the historic Appelton Arena a reality.” Bari explained the Dolan Family Foundation and the Torrey and MacAllaster families have been the biggest donors, “the plans to renovate the space were made possible by two large donations of The Dolan Family Foundation and the Torrey and MacAllaster families.”
The plans to renovate include plans to “revitalize and give the space a modern D1 feel that can stand up to some of the best facilities in the country,” explained Bari over the phone.
The plans include a new front entrance, LED lighting, and completely enhanced locker rooms and workout spaces. Additionally, the new Appleton will have space for the University’s crew team to store vital equipment. “This isn’t just a focus on the D1 hockey program. Softball, lacrosse, field hockey and crew will also receive improved facilities.” Bari explains.
The plans for the renovation have caused a stir on campus among students, and athletes alike. Morgan Welles a defenseman for the lacrosse team was excited for the opportunity to have an exclusive lacrosse locker room. “We only get a locker room when we are in season, so having one year round will be a great change for the program, I think.” Welles said. The renovations will vastly improve SLU’s athletic facilities and keep the University’s athletic facilities up to date with the ever-evolving landscape of college athletics. The project is set to begin in spring 2019.