Meehan Auditorium Renovation Nearing Completion

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A state-of-the-art renovation project at Meehan Auditorium, the home of Brown Hockey, is nearing completion. Construction is scheduled to wrap up in September after site work began in March 2021.

The $7.5 million project includes a complete upgrade of both the men's and women's home locker rooms, resulting in the creation of the Brown Hockey Locker Room Center.

"As two of the oldest programs in NCAA ice hockey, Brown has a long and storied tradition of team and individual success. The long-awaited renovation of the locker room center will elevate our programs and help to instill a championship culture that Brown deserves," said Vice President of Athletics and Recreation M. Grace Calhoun '92, Ph.D. "I want to thank Chancellor Sam Mencoff '78 for spearheading this important project along with many generous alumni and friends of Brown hockey for their tremendous effort to improve the hockey student-athlete experience to a championship level."

The functional design of the 5,000-square-foot space seeks to provide coaches and student-athletes access to advanced technology and teaching tools, such as an 85-inch touchscreen. Modern amenities include separate wood locker rooms for street clothes and equipment, team lounges, a bike room, and a training room with hot and cold hydrotherapy tanks. The entry corridor to each locker room will also be completely overhauled to create a welcoming and championship-caliber first impression.

Additionally, the fan experience at Meehan Auditorium will be upgraded with a renovation of the premium seating skybox that will also serve day-to-day as an additional space for hosting small group and team meetings and gatherings with full technology available.

"I am incredibly proud of the enhancements to our home facility, which will provide our student-athletes with the tools needed to excel as hockey players both on and off the ice," said Jeanette and Richard Given Men's Ice Hockey Head Coaching Position Brendan Whittet '94. "The renovation marks a significant milestone in Brown Hockey history and amplifies the already building momentum for both our programs."

The enhancements will have a direct impact on the Bears' rich tradition of developing athletes to compete at the next level. In its history, the women's hockey program has produced seven Olympians, winning a total of 14 medals, while 18 men's hockey alumni have gone on to compete in the National Hockey League.

"My overall sense throughout the interview process was that the time is now for Brown Hockey," said newly appointed Women's Hockey Head Coach Melanie Ruzzi. "The renewed energy of Brown Athletics' leadership under Grace Calhoun coupled with the opening of the new locker room center has me completely enthralled by the opportunity to be the head coach of the Brown Women's Hockey program."

Thanks to the generosity of Brown Hockey donors, a total of $7.5 million was raised to support this project and made it possible to accomplish in such a short amount of time.

"My experience as a member of the Brown Women's Hockey team ('99-'03) changed the trajectory of not only my hockey career, but my life," said Senior Director of the Brown Sports Foundation Kim Insalaco '03. "At the time, Brown was rooted with tradition and talent. I was so proud to play alongside four other Brown women's icers in the 2006 Olympics. The new locker room center will help the men's and women's coaches build a talent-rich pool of future Bears who aspire to play at the next level."

Upon completion, pictures and videos of the newly renovated space will be made available. To get a better idea as to what things will look like, take a virtual walkthrough of the renovation by clicking on the arrow in the picture at the top of this story or by clicking here.

The University has committed an additional $4.8 million in renewal investment for HVAC upgrades and structural improvements to Meehan Auditorium, which will also be completed in September in conjunction with the renovation. This project builds on the momentum of the BrownTogether campaign, the most ambitious fundraising effort in the University's history. Campaign priorities for Brown Athletics include renovating facilities and fully endowing varsity programs.

Brown University Athletics

Meehan Auditorium Renovation Nearing Completion

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