Duo begins work on sports facility Hampden multi-use building expected to open for business in mid-January

HAMPDEN – Two Englishmen who enjoy the quality of life in Maine are hoping to improve that quality.

Businessman Pete Madigan of Liverpool and Gary Walker of Manchester broke ground on the domed multi-sport Maine Sports Complex in Hampden last week and expect the 33,000-square foot facility to be open for business by the middle of January. Madigan is the facility’s chief executive officer and primary investor and Walker will manage the facility.

Another Englishman, former Husson College men’s and Hampden Academy girls soccer coach Mark Franchi, was the catalyst behind the facility but he has since moved to Virginia and is no longer involved in the project.

The facility will open a few weeks later than originally planned.

The playing surface will be comprised of Sprinturf, which features tiny rubber granules within the blades of artificial grass.

According to Madigan and Walker, the surface is easy on the joints and prevents burns and grazes affiliated with sand filling used in several artificial surfaces.

“It is the most expensive of the surfaces we looked at. Gary’s size-13s [feet] determined it was the best,” said Madigan.

Walker said “we both wanted to give everyone the opportunity to play on one of the best surfaces around.”

In addition to soccer and field hockey, which will be the primary sports, plans also call for golf, lacrosse, baseball, football, aerobics, fitness and rugby.

There will be an indoor driving range for golfers and a golf instructor.

There will also be a variety of activities offered for toddlers, school children and senior citizens.

And there will be all sorts of clinics for coaches as well as players like the Centers for Excellence which will be for gifted soccer and field hockey players.

Several activities can be going on at the same time and they anticipate having several leagues.

“We will be probably be open from 7 a.m.-10:30 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekends,” said Walker.

Madigan said they also wanted athletes in Eastern Maine to be able to develop their skills in their respective sports regardless of weather conditions.

The million-dollar project also entails the upgrade of three outdoor soccer-field hockey fields, according to Madigan and Walker.

There is enough indoor field space to have one soccer game with seven per side and two games with six a side going on at the same time.

Further information can be obtained by calling 862-5050 or by emailing at mainesc@tds.net.