Fairfield University To Break Ground On New Arena

FAIRFIELD, CT — A ground-breaking ceremony for Fairfield University’s new arena and convocation center is scheduled for Monday, according to a news release from the school.

Speakers will include President Mark R. Nemec, Provost Christine Siegel, Vice President for University Advancement Wally Halas, Athletic Director Paul Schlickmann and student representatives.

The ceremony will take place 11 a.m. in Fairfield’s Barone Campus Center parking area, adjacent to the center’s construction site, where the university’s landmark Alumni Hall stood for over 60 years, until this spring, when construction began.

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Designed by Architects and Planners of Centerbrook, the new 85,000-square-foot; 3,500-seat convocation center will revolutionize the Stags home game and campus event experience, according to the news release. Projected to open in 2022, the facility will be home to Fairfield’s Division I basketball and volleyball programs, as well as Fairfield Prep basketball, and will host convocations, concerts and gatherings for the university and the neighboring community at large.