November 10, 2021, Yarmouth, ME: North Yarmouth Academy (NYA) is pleased to announce plans to embark on a project to modernize, enhance, and expand the Travis Roy Ice Arena. The Academy has secured the largest gift in the school’s history, $4 million, from the Daniel family to support this transformational project.
“We are incredibly grateful to Frederique and Jarrod Daniel P’26, P’28, P’30, P’32 for their vision, leadership, and generosity in making this project possible and in helping the school reimagine a facility that will better serve our community,” said Head of School, Ben Jackson. “This is a historic moment for the Academy. This tremendous investment will not only support a legacy of excellence for our girls and boys hockey programs, it will also enhance the athletic experience and wellness opportunities for all students.”
The Academy is working to raise $1 million toward the $5 million project to support the addition of a new fitness and wellness center that will foster the holistic health of students. Under the same roof as the arena, the fitness center will include spaces for cardio and weight training, yoga, meditation, and social interaction, while the remade Travis Roy Ice Arena will enhance the hockey experience for players and spectators alike.
Project Highlights:
- New, more welcoming lobby and entrance
- New 2,500+ square foot locker and training rooms exclusive to NYA Panther Athletics
- Establish a permanent home for the Edgar F. White ’38 Athletic Hall of Fame
- Improve the spectator seating in the arena
- Create an “upper deck” seating area with 90+ premium seats
- Celebrate NYA Hockey Legends
- A new and expanded fitness and wellness center that is more than 4,000 square feet and will overlook the campus
- Create a multi-purpose team and gathering room
- Upgrade guest and community locker rooms
- Retain the name Travis Roy Ice Arena to honor the pride and distinction Travis Roy ’94 brought to the Academy
- Exterior upgrade
Tim Hebert P’25, P’27, owner of Hebert Construction, remarked, “In partnership with the Daniel family and NYA, we plan to transform the current Travis Roy Ice Arena into a modern performance sports facility celebrating NYA’s rich hockey history with an eye to the future of overall sports performance. We look forward to breaking ground on the project this spring.”
In 2019, the NYA Board of Trustees adopted a strategic plan with several programmatic and operational initiatives. Included were plans for campus development to enhance facilities for academics, athletics, and the arts. Over the past two years, the Poulin Family Tennis Courts were added, the turf field was replaced, and the Bicentennial Learning Commons was constructed. Construction on NYA’s Travis Roy Ice Arena will begin this spring, and future priorities include the performing arts and growing the Academy’s endowment.
“This gift is incredibly impactful because it is far beyond a gift to hockey. It is an investment in our strategic vision that includes investing in the performing arts, growing the endowment, and adding innovative programs,” Jackson explained.
“At NYA, teamwork and the benefits of an active lifestyle are emphasized in the classroom, through athletics, and beyond,” said Trustee, Frederique Daniel. “With our gift, we hope students will continue to pursue healthy, active lifestyles, individually and with their teammates, with all the resources they need right at their fingertips. This new facility will be the epicenter for athletics, recreation, health, and wellness on campus.” Jarrod Daniel shared, “Not only do I envision a spectacular ice hockey experience, but also the addition of a large gym and wellness facility where students will partake in a multitude of activities from athletic training/yoga/meditation to conducting physiology experiments. An institution with this storied tradition and pride deserves a facility dedicated to the students and their health and wellness.”
“During my time at NYA, I learned discipline, teamwork, respect for others, and the value of working hard and playing with intensity,” said former NHL defenseman, Eric Weinrich ‘85. “The new arena and fitness center NYA has planned will provide a solid foundation for student success on and off the ice.”
“This level of giving reflects the pride felt by the NYA community as well as the excitement they feel about the direction of the Academy,” said Jennifer Richard, NYA Director of Development. “With their investments, these generous benefactors are saying to the students of today and the future, ‘we believe in you and your potential.’”
North Yarmouth Academy is an independent, college preparatory, coeducational school for toddlers to post graduate students with an enrollment of over 375 students. Since 1814, NYA has fostered integrity, character, and intellect in its students. For more information, please contact NYA at 207-847-5423 or information@nya.org.
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