News
June 17, 2015Alumni Recreation Center Getting Summer Facelift
New Floor, Bleachers To Be Installed
Siena’s Alumni Recreation Center (ARC) is undergoing some big changes this summer. Work is underway on a new flooring system and new seating, to include chairbacks and bleachers, as part of the College’s ongoing capital investment plan.
“The Alumni Recreation Center has been the home to hundreds of student athletes and many exciting events,” Siena’s vice president and director of athletics John D’Argenio said. “Like any other facility on campus there comes a time when things need to be replaced and updated.”
The new playing court for women’s basketball and volleyball will be shifted west, toward the main entrance of the ARC. The court was constructed by Action Floor, and features the latest innovations. Action’s ProAction Thrust flooring system combines variable load response natural rubber pads, two layers of subfloor sheathing and maple flooring.
Bleachers will be set up on the north and south sides of the court with chairback seating installed behind the team benches on the north side. The west endzone will be prepared to accept a bank of bleachers that will be installed at a later date.
When all three bleachers are installed, capacity in the ARC will be 2,300 priming it for a more vibrant atmosphere on gameday. For 2015-16 capacity will stand at 1,800, which includes chairback seating, bleacher seating and floor seating.
The ARC first opened in 1974 and in the Marcelle Athletic Complex was added in 1992. It is the home facility for Siena’s women’s basketball and volleyball programs, and the primary practice venue for men’s basketball.
The women’s basketball team has made its home at the ARC since 1974. Since calling the ARC home, the Saints have won seven MAAC regular season titles and captured the MAAC Championship in 2001. Entering the 2015-16 season, the Saints are 231-131 (.638) all-time at the ARC during the program’s Division I era including a 2-1 record in the WNIT and a 2-0 record in the 2015 WBI.
Siena’s volleyball program won its ninth MAAC Championships and made its sixth NCAA Tournament appearance in 2014. Since joining the conference in 1990, the Saints boast an impressive 192-97 (.664) in the MAAC. Under the direction of 13th year head coach Garvey Pierre, the Saints have made five trips to the NCAA Tournament, playing First Round games in Fort Collins, Colo, State College, Pa. (twice), Albany, N.Y. and Berkeley, Calif.
The project is expected to be completed by the start of volleyball season in mid-September.
