Ground Broken On $70 Million Hockey Arena At Sacred Heart

FAIRFIELD, CT — Sacred Heart University broke ground Monday on a $70 million hockey and skating arena on the university’s West Campus.

The facility will be home to Sacred Heart's Division I men’s and women’s hockey programs, top-ranked figure skating team and men’s club team, along with a new women’s program set to start next fall.

“This arena will be a Division I intercollegiate skating cornerstone and one of the best in the Northeast,” Jim Barquinero, senior vice president of enrollment and athletics, said in a university news release. “In addition to providing a sophisticated and beautiful home venue for our teams, it will serve our entire university community and residents throughout the region."

The more than 122,000-square-foot facility will include the latest technology in ice management to support the 85-by-200-foot NHL standard rink.

“This is a historic day, not only for the university, but for our hockey programs,” said C.J. Marottolo, head coach of the men’s ice hockey team, in the news release. “This arena has NHL amenities with a collegial feel. Our teams and students will have a place to call home, and that really fills my heart.”

Student-athletes will have access to technologically advanced locker rooms, a world-class strength and conditioning facility designed at a level consistent with the NHL, a comprehensive sports medicine and hydrotherapy suite, a rapid-shot puck room for off-ice training, and team film, meeting and lounge spaces.

“We are so excited for the new arena and what it will do for our team,” Thomas O’Malley, head coach of the women’s ice hockey team, said in the news release. “It’s going to continue to allow us to recruit and bring in Division I student-athletes here to SHU.”

Sacred Heart’s nationally recognized figure skating team will also benefit from a pro-motion training harness in addition to an Olympic-level locker room.

“I’m just so thrilled about having a rink on campus,” said Lisa Fedick, head coach of the club figure skating team, in the news release. “It shows something that I had known for 11 years — the university has tremendous commitment to figure skating and all ice sports.”

The first pucks will be dropped in mid-January 2023. The Pioneers' men’s ice hockey team will host Boston College of the Hockey East Conference on Jan. 14. The women’s team will drop their first puck the next day as they host the Harvard University Crimson of the Eastern College Athletic Conference. Both opponents are annually ranked among the finest intercollegiate programs in the United States.

Located a minute off Exit 46 of the Merritt Parkway, the facility will offer ample underground parking with direct access to arena entrances. Fans can catch highlights on the center-hung scoreboard, enjoy enhanced lighting effects and find a personalized jersey in the pro shop. Food and beverages on the concourse will include favorite game-day eats as well as local brews. Premium seating includes luxury suites and two clubrooms overlooking the rink and seating bowl.

“Sacred Heart spent a lot of time focusing on the fan experience,” Barquinero said in the news release. “We want this arena to be a destination for fans and families to enjoy cheering on the Pioneers. From fan engagement, youth programs, high school games and open skate, all are welcome.”

In addition to guest lectures, concerts and other activities, there will be reserved open skating time available to students, faculty, staff and community members.

The arena will serve as an educational internship and graduate assistantship learning laboratory for those studying hospitality, sports communication and media, sports management, and marketing.

University President John Petillo thanked Frank and Marisa Martire for their gift of $5 million to support the arena.

“We are extremely grateful for Frank and Marisa’s continued generosity to Sacred Heart," Petillo said in the news release. "They give of their time, their talent and their philanthropy, which is extremely valuable to us.”

The facility will be named for the Martire family. Frank Martire, a 1969 graduate of Sacred Heart, is chairman of the university’s board of trustees and has an equity interest in the NHL’s Las Vegas franchise, the Vegas Golden Knights. The Martires also supported the Frank & Marisa Martire Center for the Liberal Arts and the Chapel of the Holy Spirit.

Development and construction of the arena is a collaboration among JLG Architects, the SLAM Collaborative, Dimensional Innovations and Consigli Construction.