By By Nate Owen, News Staff

The world’s oldest hockey arena is getting a facelift.
With the loss of six key seniors, and junior Brad Thiessen forgoing his senior year to sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins, it’s safe to say the men’s hockey team will look a bit different next season when they step on their home ice. These changes to the team will also be accompanied by major renovations to Matthews Arena, which are scheduled to commence May 1, Athletics Director Peter Roby said.
‘It’s a multi-tiered approach,’ Roby said. ‘We’re trying to address the fan experience so we are making some changes that benefit the students and the folks that go to games and events.’
‘ The work will be handled by Suffolk Construction Company and the budgeted cost is $12 to 14 million dollars, all of which will be funded by the university, Roby said.
‘We’re certainly grateful that the university has continued to see the value in doing it for the Northeastern community, given all the things that are happening in terms of the economy,’ Roby said.
Major changes include new seating, a central digital scoreboard, an improved sound system, a new press box and improved locker and weight room facilities. The main lobby will also be renovated, with the main concession stand being moved to the middle of the arena next to the stairs leading to the downstairs restrooms. The current concession stand will be downsized for more ‘grab and go’ type items, Roby said.’ The back of the concession stand will open to allow wheelchair access to the other side of the arena.
‘We have a [lot of] these things now, ‘ Roby said. ‘But they’re either really small and don’t provide as much room as we’d like or just aren’t at a level that we think we need to service the teams and the students as much as we’d like.’
Roby said plans were in the works to have video monitors and televisions in the lobby, as well as display cases to honor past teams and athletes.
The current seats will be replaced by more modern ones, which will be more comfortable and appealing to the eye, Roby said. Hanging above the ice will be a new digital scoreboard similar to the one at Boston University’s Agganis Arena, Roby said.
‘It has all the capability to keep score,’ Roby said. ‘Because it’s run digitally you can change what’s on there to set up for a basketball game, set up for a hockey game or set up for a commencement or concert. It’s versatile, which is why we wanted to go with that kind of board.’