When the men’s and women’s hockey programs host their home openers in the fall of 2025, they will be skating in a new arena offering all the latest amenities for players and fans alike.
After months of anticipation, an agreement has been finalized for Union’s Division I hockey teams to play their games in an all-purpose arena to be built at nearby Mohawk Harbor.
The $50 million project features a 2,200-seat ice hockey rink with capacity expanding to 3,600 for other sporting events, trade shows, special events and conventions.
The nearly 100,000-square-foot arena will be located steps from College Park Hall, providing easy access from campus. It is also near two hotels, restaurants and other retail establishments, making it more inviting for fans and visiting teams.
Plans for the new venue were first announced in spring 2022.
“This arena represents the start of an exciting new chapter in the rich story of Union hockey, and will enhance the student experience, making Union an even more attractive option for all students,” said President David R. Harris.
“Just as importantly, the facility will be a tremendous community asset that will strengthen Schenectady and the region for decades to come. We are appreciative of the support of the Galesi Group, Metroplex and our friends in local and state government, with whom we have worked to make this project a reality.”
The College has negotiated a long-term lease with the developer, Maxon Alco Holdings, LLC, an affiliated company of the Galesi Group, to be the primary tenant for the arena. The College will contribute $20 million over 25 years to host the men’s and women’s hockey programs.
The developer plans to break ground this spring. The arena is scheduled to be completed in time for the Union teams to play in their new home for the 2025-26 season.
The new arena will be a major upgrade for the College’s hockey programs, which currently play their games in the 2,051-seat Frank L. Messa Rink at Achilles Center. From the time it hosted its first game Dec. 5, 1975, against the University of Ottawa, the classic hockey barn has provided one of the greatest atmospheres in college hockey.
Built for $1.8 million, the venue was designed to host a single Division II/III team. The men’s team has been playing at the Division I level since 1991, when it moved from Division III; the women’s program followed in 2003 after four years at the Division III level. After decades of use, Messa Rink is now in need of significant upgrades to remain consistent with other Division I facilities in ECAC hockey, to enhance the fan experience and address its mechanical infrastructure. Current estimates are that addressing challenges at Messa would cost more than $20 million.
The College weighed a number of options, including building a new rink of its own or repairing and renovating Messa. College officials ultimately decided the best option was to enter into a public-private partnership to lease space at the new arena, in part because expenses are shared with other parties.
To support the project, State Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara helped secure $10 million from the state; the Schenectady County Legislature contributed $5 million, the Schenectady City Council $2.5 million and trustee Neil Golub $1 million.
“While Messa Rink at Achilles Center has served our hockey programs well for nearly 50 seasons, we are excited to move into a state-of-the-art facility for our student-athletes and fans at Mohawk Harbor," said Director of Athletics Jim McLaughlin ’93.
“This facility will be a gem for our region, adding many shows and events, along with the continued excitement of Division I hockey.”
The new facility will provide upgraded, private locker rooms for both teams as well as dedicated strength and conditioning and athletic training spaces. Construction of the new rink comes at a time when the NCAA recently allowed both Union hockey teams to offer athletic scholarships for the first time. The shifting dynamics in college sports, particularly with the transfer portal, has upended the competitive landscape. Without the ability to offer scholarships, both hockey teams were at a distinct recruiting disadvantage.
Now, scholarships and a new rink will greatly enhance the College’s ability to compete at the highest level in men’s and women's hockey to attract exceptional student-athletes.
“This new arena will help us attract elite talent both now and, in the future, as well as give us the ability to develop our current players and help them achieve their athletic and academic goals,” said men’s hockey head coach Josh Hauge, who is completing his second season at Union. “We are also excited to welcome our incredible fans from the college and the community to this new rink and watch them continue to showcase their passion for Union hockey.”
Added Josh Sciba, the women’s program's all-time winningest coach, who is completing his eighth year at Union: “With scholarship possibilities, a distinguished degree, a beautiful campus, and now a brand-new facility, our student-athletes have a real recipe for personal growth and success. This new facility will allow our staff to provide the type of Division I experience that our student-athletes seek, and it will elevate our recruiting efforts for years to come.”
News of a new rink for the hockey programs also comes as the College celebrates the 10th anniversary of the men’s team winning its first national championship in April 2014. A number of events are being planned to honor the team this summer.
There are still details to work out related to the new rink. This includes determining seat locations at Mohawk Harbor for season ticket holders. Though a process has not been finalized, existing season ticket holders at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season (the last in Messa Rink) will have priority for seating in the new arena.
Also, shifting the hockey programs from Messa will free up valuable space in the Achilles Center for other athletic uses. As a result, the facility will now be enjoyed by more members of the Union community, enhancing the student experience for all at the College.
In the meantime, for those involved in working to secure a new rink, they are excited it is finally going to happen because it will benefit the entire campus and community.
“Hockey is an integral part of Union's culture and tradition," Harris said. “This new arena is emblematic of our commitment to ensuring a Division I-quality experience for our student-athletes and fans well into the future. The move to a new facility will make the current space available as turfed fields for our students and the community, making this a victory for the College and the entire region."