The Frank L. Messa Rink at the Achilles Center has been an iconic hallmark of Union College hockey since its construction in 1975. The Union College community has stood around its boards as we have won and lost games, moved from Division III to Division I, and united as a school with spirit and strength. After fifty years of service, plans broke for a new hockey arena at the Mohawk Harbor Events Center scheduled to open for the 2025-2026 ECAC season. So what will the future of Messa Rink look like?
The director of athletics, Jim McLaughlin, made an official statement that the administration has “not yet finalized plans.” Still, discussions are underway as the ice was removed for the final time this April. McLaughlin also stated in an interview with the Daily Gazette that once the hockey rink is gone, the building will shift into a space for other athletic uses.
Additional locker rooms and an indoor turf facility for many other sports will exist. Construction crews will work to clear the rink, boards, glass, and bleachers for this change. The goal is to have all of this done by September 2025. This will offer a substantial advantage for other athletes, providing more space to practice and a weatherproof environment. Union is excited to see what Messa’s future will look like and the new memories and legacies that will be created.
