Siena College’s Alumni Recreation Center (ARC) and Marcelle Athletic Complex (MAC) (renamed UHY Center in 2021) will undergo a major renovation over the next three years. Highlights of the $13.5 million, multi-phase project include a new men’s and women’s basketball practice facility, additional ARC seating and a new event entrance, new student athlete strength and conditioning and sports medicine suites, and an expanded and enhanced student, faculty and staff fitness center.
The project launched the day after Siena’s 2016 commencement on May 16, and is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2018. CHA Companies are serving as the architects, and Turner Construction is carrying out the construction of the project which is part of the College’s ongoing capital investment plan.
“We are excited to be moving this ARC and MAC renovation project forward,” said Siena College Vice President and Director of Athletics John D’Argenio. “Along with enhancing the facility for the student athletes, we will be more than doubling the recreational space available to students, faculty and staff.”
Phase 1A kicked off last month and features the construction of an enclosed 8,360 square foot practice court for the men’s and women’s basketball programs located on the east side of the ARC. An addition of a bank of bleachers is also included in the phase, which will make the ARC’s seating capacity 2,148. Phase 1A is scheduled for completion by the end of this summer.
Phase 1A marks the continuation of major enhancements to the ARC which began last summer (Phase 1). New flooring and seating systems were installed prior to the start of the 2015-16 school year and featured the addition of chair-back seating behind the team benches, and bleacher seating on the opposite side. The ARC first opened in 1974 and serves as the home facility for Siena’s women’s basketball and volleyball programs and as the primary practice venue for men’s basketball.
Phase 1B will take place during the 2016 fall and winter months with completion set for early in 2017. The phase features a relocation and enrichment of the indoor baseball and softball hitting cages as well as the facilities storage area located on the south end of the MAC. The MAC opened in 1992 and is named in honor of former Siena College Board of Trustees member Alphonso “Doc” Marcelle ’49.
Phase 1C is set to commence immediately following commencement next spring and features new student athlete strength and conditioning and sports medicine suites which will be constructed on the south side of the MAC. The expanded 2,700 square foot student athlete weight room will include free weights and platforms as well as an artificial turf area for agility training. The 2,800 square foot sports medicine suite will feature both hot and cold hydrotherapy pools, taping, treatment and rehabilitation areas and a doctors’ exam room. Additional phase features include an outdoors facelift to the MAC and a new event entrance.
The final phase of the project culminates in the spring of 2018 with the enhancement of the student, faculty and staff fitness center. Phase 2 features the addition of an 8,725 square foot second story to the Callanan Field House Fitness Center which will overlook the baseball field. The air-conditioned facility will include ample weight and cardio training equipment to service the Siena community.
Naming opportunities are currently available for the new features of the project. For more information on how to support the project and preserve your legacy in the new facility, please contact Siena College Vice President and Director of Athletics John D’Argenio at dargenio@siena.edu or by phone at (518) 783-2450, or Director of Development Brad Bodmer ’82, Esq. at bbodmer@siena.edu or by phone at (518) 782-6907.
