FORT KENT, Maine — As students return to the University of Maine at Fort Kent campus for the start of the fall semester, they will find a few notable changes that occurred over the summer. Campus personnel have been hard at work updating some of the exterior public spaces to include the addition of a new parking lot and a reimagining of the UMFK Sports Center Quad.
The completion of the south parking lot, located at the intersection of Armory Road and Pleasant Street, is the culmination of a multi-year plan to optimize space utilization. This parking lot will provide parking for events at Nowland Hall, overflow options for events at Fort Kent Community High School, space for flag ceremonies and more.
“The needs for parking and divestment from residential-style facilities was documented as early as the UMFK Master Plan of 2017. Thanks to funding provided through the University of Maine System Space Reduction Initiative, as well as support from the Town of Fort Kent Planning Board, we are now entering the final stages of creating this wonderful space,” said UMFK’s Chief Business Officer Pam Ashby.
The lot will have entrances on both streets and feature a prominent display of flags for the use and enjoyment of the entire community.
“The vast majority of this work was done by our own UMFK staff,” said Director of Facilities Jason Guerrette, “I am incredibly proud of what they do on a day to day basis, let alone the herculean effort over the summer to complete projects while still getting the entire campus ready for operations in the fall.”
On the opposite side of campus, the Sports Center Quad has undergone its own transformation. State of Maine Bond funding for the construction of the Enrollment and Advancement Center provided funding for artwork under the guidance of the Maine Arts Commission. The selection of an exterior piece allows UMFK the opportunity to leverage the impact of the UMS Space Reduction Initiative funding obtained as part of a multi-year plan to provide green space between Pleasant Street and the Sports Center. This project brings to fruition the concepts of providing a diagonal walking path for students coming from the Lodge residence hall and uniting the two sides of campus, as recommended in the Master Plan.
The path will be available to students for use in the upcoming fall semester. When complete, the space will also feature an illuminated word sculpture by Maine artist Robert Brochu.
Additional projects have included a renovated gathering space in front of the Lodge residence hall, updated roofing on several buildings, and safety and security features across campus.
