Though it's been in use for a few weeks, the new APG Federal Credit Union Arena at Harford Community College was officially dedicated Tuesday afternoon.
Students, faculty, alumni and community members were given tours of the new, 100,000-plus-square-foot building following the ribbon-cutting and court dedication.
The men's and women's basketball teams began play in the arena Nov. 21, while the finishing touches were still being added. But by Tuesday's ribbon-cutting, the $26 million gym was ready to be shown off.
Construction of the APGFCU Arena, with 2,552 seats that could accommodate as many as 3,300, has the largest capacity of any indoor venue in Northeastern Maryland, HCC officials said.
The arena was just part of an expansion project for HCC's 44-year-old Susquehanna Center, which in addition to the old gymnasium housed a swimming pool, dance studio and fitness center. The original 49,150 square feet was expended to more than 100,000 square feet. The original gym is planned to be turned into an auxiliary room for fitness classes, intramural sports and HCC physical education department activities.
APG Federal Credit Union, the local banking institution with a seven-decade presence in Harford County, is paying HCC $50,000 annual for the next 15 years for naming and advertising rights at the arena.