NMCC students lend talents
to biathlon media booths
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Two new media buildings constructed by Northern Maine Community College students for the 2016 Biathlon World Cup were “flown” into place by a construction crane last week at the Nordic Heritage Center.
The two 7 x 21-foot modules, which will house media teams from across Europe, were positioned on their perch some 25 feet above ground and behind the spectator bleachers. Each structure has three separate rooms, each large enough for a broadcast team. These will be connected for a total of six individual broadcast booths each with a 5 x 4-foot window overlooking the stadium.
“This was a huge community effort and NMCC was proud to have taken its part,” said NMCC President Tim Crowley. “Our trade and technical occupations department was very enthusiastic about this project and eager to jump on board.”
Crowley continued, “Students from the building construction technology and electrical construction and maintenance programs had the opportunity to work on a real-world assignment, and NMCC can show the community the quality of our students’ work.”
“At first I wondered if we could complete the task in a very short time frame,” said building construction technology instructor Frank Pytlak, “but once we got started, the students worked efficiently and did a great job completing the plan in plenty of time, coordinating with our electrical construction students who added heating and all the needed electrical.
“Our seniors will go back to the venue next week to install the countertops. We’re looking forward to seeing our booths in use; realizing how essential our work was to sharing this exciting event worldwide.”
“The biathlon competitions are broadcast live across Europe, where it is the number one winter sport,” said Steve Towle, event manager for the World Cup competition.
“For the International Biathlon Union to consider bringing the event here, more space was required for outside network broadcast. With the help of so many generous donors, we got this $40,000 job done for a fraction of the cost. Now that we have these media booths, the Nordic Heritage Center can be considered for future IBU events,” Towle added.
The booths are attached to utility poles placed by Emera. Some of the materials and transportation came from Aroostook Trusses, Inc. JM Huber and Rathbun Lumber also donated and discounted materials.
The biathlon event takes place February 11-14, and about 300 athletes from more than 32 countries will begin arriving in Aroostook County earlier in the week. A number of them will be housed at Northern Maine Community College residential housing.
“We were in need of additional housing at a reasonable cost for a few of our athletes,” said Jane Towle, event director. “Once again NMCC stepped up, and found space for teams, translators and members of our international production crew. The biathlon committee is very grateful for the willingness and help provided by the College.”
