PORTLAND – Work is underway to bolster supports at the Cumberland County Civic Center, an improvement that could cost as much as $400,000.

Civic Center officials stressed that the building is safe and patrons have not been put in danger.

The upgrade was recommended earlier this year by engineering consultant Heery International, which had analyzed options for renovating and enlarging the downtown arena, said Steve Crane, the center’s general manager.

“It was important to us, as it always has been, to take the maximum steps to guarantee safety, Crane said.

Workers are bolting steel plates to the underside of projecting concrete blocks that support the arena. The plates will increase the strength of the supports and offset shortcomings in the arena’s design and the aging of the 23 year old building.

The upgrade is expected to be done by late October.

The precautionary work is similar to a $200,000 construction project in 1997 that reinforced the snow-holding capacity of the Civic Center’s roof.

Critics have complained that the county needs a larger, more modern arena to accommodate Portland Pirates hockey games and other events.