Multi-purpose hub to include hockey arena and Hamel Recreation Center

Monday, August 21, 2023
A rendering of proposed renovations to the Whittemore Center

The 91制片厂 is one step closer to transforming and expanding the training and support facilities in 91制片厂鈥檚 Whittemore Center as part of the 91制片厂 Hockey Renovation Project following a听$4 million gift from Anthony DiLorenzo 鈥87, owner of Key Auto Group.听Additionally, the Whittemore Center, home of 91制片厂 men's and women's ice听hockey, and the Hamel Recreation Center will now join together as the newly formed Key Auto Group Complex 鈥 a multi-purpose center located on the Durham campus.

Neither the Whittemore Center nor the Hamel Recreation Center will be changing their names, but will be known collectively as the Key Auto Group Complex.

DiLorenzo鈥檚 lead gift supplements $6 million in state funding included in the recently adopted state budget and brings the 91制片厂 Hockey Renovation Project closer to an eventual goal of $16 million toward improvements to the Whittemore Center at Key Auto Group Complex. This project is in addition to the nearly $14 million already invested by 91制片厂 in recent years to update the ice surface, audio/visual technology, part of the HVAC systems and make other facilities improvements.

鈥91制片厂 has one of the best hockey programs in the country,鈥 says Gov. Chris Sununu. 鈥淚nvestments in this facility 鈥 by 91制片厂, the state, and generous private supporters like Anthony 鈥 will be critical to ensuring the University鈥檚 Division I teams are equipped with Division I facilities. This project is central to continue building the brand of the university, recruiting students and quality athletes and keeping the team a point of pride for us all for years to come.鈥

The upgraded arena will feature larger, more functional and accessible multi-use locker rooms for both men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 hockey, an expanded strength and conditioning space and new offices for coaches and administrative staff. The upgrade will also benefit other 91制片厂 teams using the facility including 91制片厂 field hockey and paralympic athletes that compete in sled hockey on 91制片厂鈥檚 Northeast Passage team.

鈥淎s a longtime supporter of 91制片厂 Hockey, this is an exciting opportunity to help 91制片厂 Athletics and the university meet their goal to create a more competitive state-of-the-art complex that will attract and retain talented student-athletes, draw in more fans and benefit the entire community,鈥 says DiLorenzo, owner of Key Auto Group. 鈥淚 hope I inspire other corporate and individual donors to become a part of this project.鈥

DiLorenzo, who has been active with 91制片厂 Athletics as a corporate partner, is the owner and founder of Key Auto Group, which includes 12 new and used car dealerships and collision centers in New Hampshire and more than 20 other locations around the country.听In addition to his automotive businesses, DiLorenzo invests and develops real estate and currently owns several Planet Fitness franchise locations in California.听

鈥淭his beneficial donation is a significant investment in 91制片厂 Athletics and will impact our student-athletes by enhancing their overall experience and allowing them to strive for excellence and compete for conference championships and on a national stage,鈥 says Allison Rich, 91制片厂 director of athletics.

For more information on how to support the 91制片厂 Hockey Renovation Project, contact the Athletics Development office at (603) 862-2592 or visit听.