It is called the Maine Sports Complex, but most refer to it as “The Bubble” in Hampden.

The multi-sports facility with the artificial surface Sprinturf has done well as it nears its first birthday, and Pete Madigan, the financier, CEO, and manager of the facility, is hoping to add to it in the near future.

The addition would be in the form of a building attached to “The Bubble” that would include meeting rooms, office space, and rest rooms as well as a caf? and vending area.

They currently have portable toilets outside and use trailers as their offices.

Madigan has been happy with the response to the facility over the last 10 months.

“Given this is our first winter and given the circumstances that transpired last year, we’re very pleased with the positive response from the sporting community as well as the local community,” said Englishman Madigan referring to the one-month delay in the building of the facility caused primarily by frost in the ground.

He said the two sports that serve as the mainstays for the facility – soccer and field hockey – are flourishing.

“The [soccer and field hockey] leagues have grown in size and our initial flag football league, which starts Sunday, has grown from four to eight teams,” said Madigan, who added that there has also been more interest expressed from baseball and softball people.

He also feels the complex has been beneficial from a “social side.” He said adults can participate in a sport on a safe indoor surface and make new friends.

The 33,000-square-foot facility is open approximately seven hours per day during the weekdays in winter but is much busier on weekends.

It has been used for other activities such as golf and as a preschool and after-school facility for youngsters. There may be an Ultimate Frisbee tournament, and rugby could eventually come to “The Bubble.”

“I think we have the only indoor driving range in Maine,” pointed out Madigan.

There have been plenty of clinics in all sports, and the Dutch Soccer Academy’s Robbie Krul, who lives in Limestone, will hold a three-week series of soccer clinics every Saturday beginning Jan. 25.

Krul played at the highest amateur level in Holland before earning all-conference and All-New England honors at Franklin Pierce College (N.H.).

The facility has certainly filled a void in the area. The surface is soft, grass-like, and forgiving, and “The Bubble” is well lit and clean.

Adding a building would be valuable because people would have a place to change, grab something to eat, and hang out.

Witch-Ram hockey game a gem

Every once in a while, you find yourself watching an event that becomes memorable.

The Bangor and Brewer High School hockey teams put on such an exhibition six days ago in a game won by Brewer.

It was an electrifying atmosphere pitting Brewer’s speed and experience against Bangor’s tenacity, youth, and exuberance.

It was a rivalry at its best. It had the aura of an Eastern Maine or state championship game. Sawyer Arena was nearly full and the crowd was charged up.

The hits were bone-jarring, but clean with Bangor being the more aggressive of the two.

Neither team led by more than a goal. The goaltenders were sharp. It was a game that will be discussed for years to come.

Larry Mahoney can be reached at 990-8231 or 1-800-310-8600.

His e-mail address is

lmahoney@bangordailynews.net.