Breaking ground in late October 2025 marked the beginning of a transformative journey for the school. Since then, significant progress has been made: structural excavation, footings, and foundations are now complete. The construction team is hard at work on basement columns, first and second floor structural framing, and decking, while foundation perimeter drains and underslab plumbing are also in progress.

This ambitious, multi-phase project will add 51,000 square feet of new space and renovate 13,000 square feet of the existing facility – all while the school remains occupied and fully operational. Careful planning and scheduling have been crucial to ensure minimal disruption for students and staff.

The new addition is set to be completed by August 2026, with all work wrapped up in time for the 2027-2028 school year.

So, what can students, families, and faculty look forward to? The upgraded Porters Point School will feature new pre-K through second grade classrooms, a cafeteria and kitchen, a multipurpose gym, a library, and a welcoming new entrance and lobby. The design also includes administrative offices and flexible spaces tailored to support a variety of educational needs, ensuring that the school remains a vibrant hub for learning and growth.

Supporting the new spaces will be updated mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems as well as a new wastewater disposal system, underground stormwater infiltration chambers, and an emergency generator – all to ensure a sustainable and resilient infrastructure.

One of the most rewarding parts of this project has been the genuine connections forged with the students at Porters Point School. Each week, our team looks forward to engaging with curious young learners during their Friday morning visits where we answer their questions and share insights about the construction process. These moments of interaction go beyond simply informing—they create a sense of excitement and belonging, making the students feel involved in the transformation of their school. During the holiday season, the students even expressed their gratitude by decorating the construction fence, adding a festive touch to the ongoing project. It’s these heartwarming exchanges that remind us why building spaces for learning is such an important and fulfilling job.

Stay tuned for more updates as construction progresses and these exciting new spaces begin to take shape.

Owner: Colchester School District / General Contractor: PC Construction / Owner’s Representative: PCI Consulting / Architect: Black River Design

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This multi-sequence project included renovations to the Gutterson Fieldhouse ice rink, home of UVM Hockey, to preserve and enhance the existing facility, as well as extensive renovations and additions to the University’s recreation and wellness facilities. The completed facility boasts a new varsity strength and conditioning facility, group fitness center, multipurpose activity courts, a bouldering wall, a Sports Medicine facility, locker room spaces and office suites. Throughout the over five years onsite, our work touched approximately 80% of UVM’s athletic campus, with all efforts coordinated around students, facilities, staff and schedules for several Division I athletic teams.

This ENR award recognizes project teams that overcome challenges, invest in safety, promote construction quality and contribute to the industry and the community. These were certainly defining qualities of this project, and we are so proud to be among this year’s honorees.

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“This groundbreaking marks the first visible step in fulfilling our commitment to a safe, modern and inspiring learning environment,” said Superintendent Amy Minor. “It is a testament to what happens when a community unites with purpose and pride under the belief, our town, our schools, our future.”

The project, which will be completed in phases, encompasses approximately 51,000 square feet of new additions and 13,000 square feet of renovations to the existing facility. It also involves demolishing part of the current building to make way for new surface parking. The new spaces will include new pre-K through second grade classrooms, a cafeteria and kitchen, a multipurpose gym, a library, a welcoming new entrance and lobby, administrative offices, and flexible spaces to support a variety of educational needs. The basement of the addition will house updated mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to support the upgraded school. Infrastructure improvements will feature a new wastewater disposal system, underground stormwater infiltration chambers and an emergency generator for added resiliency.

The PC team mobilized last week and site work is currently underway to prepare for the two-story addition. Construction of the new addition is expected to continue through August 2026, with the remaining demolition and renovation work completing in time for the start of the 2027-2028 school year.

This project holds special meaning for me. Beyond my PC Construction hard hat, I am also an active member of the Colchester community, with four children currently enrolled in the Colchester School District (two of whom are pictured with me at right). These long-awaited improvements at Porters Point School are essential to elevating the student experience and meeting the dynamic needs of our growing community.

Owner: Colchester School District
General Contractor: PC Construction
Owner’s Representative: PCI Consulting
Architect: Black River Design

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The PC Construction team joined university officials, donors, alumni, students and local residents for the festive occasion. The ceremony opened with remarks from university leadership, highlighting the significance of the project, and culminated in the unveiling of the new Hockey Center.

The enhanced Shawn Walsh Hockey Center includes new state-of-the-art locker rooms for the women’s and men’s ice hockey programs, a player development center with sports medicine and strength and conditioning spaces as well as a 42-seat film room, new and renovated offices for coaches and support staff, and expanded lounges and equipment rooms.

The Harold Alfond Sports Arena underwent upgrades to enhance the student-athlete and fan experience inside the historic building. Work included a new entryway complete with an expanded concourse area housing dedicated fan shop and concession sales spaces, the UMaine Hockey Hall of Champions and ticket sales.

Now we look forward to October 10 when both UMaine Division I hockey teams take to the ice for their first games in the new space, ushering in the next great chapter in UMaine hockey history!

Read more about this exciting project. 

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South Burlington, VT

The $58 million project, which began in June 2019, was completed in three phases over four years. The project was originally envisioned as a new 96,000-square-foot, 3,000-seat arena, but at the onset of COVID-19, construction was halted and reenvisioned, resulting in significant scope redirection to focus primarily on the University’s health and wellness facilities.

The first phase included significant structural work in Gutterson Field House, reinforcing its unique barreled roof, adding a new media loft and upgrading utility and electrical services. In the second phase, PC delivered major renovations to UVM’s health and wellness facilities to add a new full size multipurpose athletic court, bouldering wall, strength and conditioning facility, film room and men’s and women’s hockey locker rooms. The final phase of the project included more than 11,000 square feet of additional renovations within the complex to deliver a new state-of-the-art hydrotherapy center, an office suite for men’s and women’s hockey coaches, a modern sports television director’s suite, student-athlete academic space and a new hospitality suite for UVM athletics supporters.

PC’s work touched 80% of the university’s athletic campus over a four-year period, all while keeping the facility fully operational. This complex effort required several relocations and fit-ups of temporary spaces for student-athletes and coaches throughout the course of construction.

“This was an incredibly complex project, requiring a significant redesign partway through construction,” said PC President / CEO Matt Cooke. “The fact that we were able to deliver a successful project despite a major pandemic-driven pivot and extreme logistical challenges — all with the constant support of the owner — is a testament to the PC team’s creativity and exceptional customer service. I’m grateful to CMAA for the recognition and very thankful to the University of Vermont for their continued partnership.”

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Structural steel crews have nearly completed erecting/decking, with roofing crews following right behind. As these two trades wrap up, the building will be temporarily enclosed for the winter, allowing interior work to progress towards the first phase delivery of the new locker rooms, coaches’ offices and film room. In total, the Shawn Walsh Hockey Center and Harold Alfond Sports Arena will undergo 31,000 square feet of renovations and 21,000 square feet of additions, providing significant enhancements to UMaine’s iconic ice hockey venue.

We are excited to deliver these enhanced facilities for UMaine’s student-athletes and fans! Stay tuned for more updates as the project progresses.

Go Black Bears!

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USM

PC Construction accepted two national awards last week from ENR (Engineering News-Record), a leading trade publication in the engineering and construction industry. These awards recognize New England’s most outstanding construction projects of the year.

PC was honored with a Sustainability Award of Merit for its work on the University of Southern Maine’s Portland Commons Residence Hall and McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success. The company was also recognized for its efforts on The Nest, a unique mid-mountain restaurant at Saddleback, which won a Best Project award for projects valued under $10 million.

“Our team has completed some exceptional projects in Maine,” said PC President / CEO Matt Cooke. “The University of Southern Maine and The Nest at Saddleback projects illustrate our diverse construction capabilities and are testament to our outstanding teams who continuously achieve excellence.”

USM Portland Commons and McGoldrick Center

The $83.6 million University of Southern Maine project is the largest in the school’s history. Portland Commons Residence Hall, which PC Construction completed in partnership with Capstone Development Partners, Elkus Manfredi Architects, and SMRT Architects & Engineers, significantly expands the dormitory capacity of the Portland campus. The 218,000-square-foot, eight-story student residence hall includes 580 beds with a mix of single-occupancy rooms, studios and multi-bedroom apartments. The 42,000-square-foot, five-story McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success offers a career and employment hub, meeting rooms, study spaces and amenities including a dining common, coffee shop and pub.

The two connected facilities, which are centered on a one-acre green quad, usher in a massive transformation of USM’s Portland campus. Portland Commons, as the campus’ first-ever onsite dormitory, marks the first step in turning a former “commuter campus” into a bustling university with a full campus experience. The state-of-the-art McGoldrick Center right next door contributes to a rich campus life outside of the classroom, providing opportunities for collaboration and connection among the student body and with potential employers.

The project also significantly contributes to USM’s sustainability goal of becoming fully carbon-neutral by 2040. Portland Commons, whose superior insulation and efficient building design allow it to use 50% less energy than comparable housing facilities, is one of the largest Passive House college residence halls in the United States. The McGoldrick Center — with its large-scale 33.3-kW rooftop photovoltaic array, passive solar heating, and a structure that is one-third mass timber, which significantly reduces the embodied carbon of the building — is LEED Gold certified.

“At the very root of this project’s success was a true team commitment to a collaborative, open and transparent relationship among all team members,” said Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson, President of the University of Southern Maine. “USM valued PC’s expertise, creative solutions, and continuous efforts toward ensuring our goals were met. We take such pride in walking along Bedford Street and admiring our truly transformed campus, and we know we couldn’t have done it without PC.”

The Nest at Saddleback Mountain

The Nest is a 2,500-square-foot ski in/ski out restaurant at Saddleback Mountain in western Maine. Perched at 3,620 feet, it’s the highest-elevation dining experience in Maine, combining panoramic views and exceptional cuisine. Constructing this unique venue presented significant challenges, from its remote, high-altitude location to the need for careful environmental stewardship.

The top of the building features a living roof, recreating the natural alpine meadow above the building, as if the ground had been lifted up for the building to be tucked into. Inside, guests discover a vibrant, modern restaurant with a full gourmet kitchen, 80-seat dining area and 14-seat bar that are designed to easily transform into an open-concept event space.

Environmental stewardship was a top priority during the construction process. Careful planning accounted for the late-spring breeding season of the Bicknell’s Thrush, a rare bird species native to the region, ensuring their habitat was protected. To prioritize the birds’ safety, removable screens were installed on one of the three sides featuring floor-to-ceiling glass. Instead of using a traditional poured concrete foundation, the structure was built on posts, significantly reducing disruption to the surrounding watershed. Additionally, the project incorporates unique building materials that showcase local forest products and harmonize with the natural landscape, further emphasizing sustainability and regional pride.

“PC’s partnership was essential in bringing this project to completion in time for the 2023-2024 ski season,” said Jim Quimby, General Manager of Saddleback Mountain. “The Nest isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a centerpiece of the Saddleback experience, offering skiers and riders a combination of breathtaking views, exceptional dining, and the convenience of ski-in/ski-out access. This project stands as a testament to innovative design, eco-conscious practices, and the spirit of collaboration that define Saddleback as a truly special destination.”

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Originally built in 1977, there have been several additions and renovations to the Alfond Arena and the connection to the Shawn Walsh building. To support this varied infrastructure, we are working through the MEP coordination process and identifying constructability opportunities based on existing conditions.

The enhanced Shawn Walsh Hockey Center will include new state-of-the-art locker rooms for the women’s and men’s ice hockey programs, a player development center with state-of-the-art sports medicine and strength and conditioning spaces as well as a 42-seat film room, new and renovated offices for coaches and support staff, and expanded lounges and equipment rooms. The Harold Alfond Sports Arena will undergo upgrades to enhance the student-athlete and fan experience inside the historic building. Work includes a new entryway complete with an expanded concourse area with dedicated ticket and concession sales spaces, the UMaine Hockey Hall of Fame and the team store.

In total, the Shawn Walsh Hockey Center and Harold Alfond Sports Arena will undergo 31,000 square feet of renovations and 21,000 square feet of additions. This multi-phased project will further UMaine’s commitment to excellence in the state’s only Division I athletics program, strengthen gender equity, and provide a preferred destination for high school sports championships, competitions and community events.

Many of our team members are UMaine alum and are looking forward to helping UMaine further their commitment to excellence in Division I athletics. Go Blue!

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Current work includes 11,000 square feet of renovations and fit-ups to multiple spaces within the Forbush building of the existing 300,000-square-foot Patrick-Forbush-Gutterson Athletic Complex. A former racquetball court, which was demolished during our earlier phase of work, will be fit-up to create a hydrotherapy center with three pools for athlete treatment. Additional existing shell space will be transformed into the University’s new academic success space. With seven offices, a conference room, a kitchenette and study areas, the space will support student-athletes with their academic needs. Additional areas will receive renovations to create a new multipurpose room and an office suite for the UVM Catamounts men and women hockey coaches. Associated infrastructure improvements include a new energy recovery unit and rooftop ductwork distribution.

This $5.2 million project, which comes on the heels of the successfully completed Athletic Campus Renovations and Additions project, will wrap up this November. Stay tuned for more updates about this exciting project!

The post Work Continues for UVM’s On Campus Multipurpose Center appeared first on PC Construction.

The two connected facilities, which are centered on a one-acre green quad, include the 218,000-square-foot, eight-story Portland Commons student residence hall and the 42,000-square-foot, five-story McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success. Portland commons – the first-ever residence hall on the Portland campus – features 580 beds with a mix of single-occupancy rooms, studios and multi-bedroom apartments. The McGoldrick Center offers a career and employment hub, meeting rooms, study spaces and amenities including a dining common, coffee shop and pub.

One of the most exciting parts of this project is its extensive sustainability focus. Portland Commons, with its superior insulation and efficient building design, is the second-largest Passive House building at a university in the United States. The McGoldrick Center, with its large-scale 33.3-kW rooftop photovoltaic array and passive solar heating, along with a beautiful mass timber component comprising of 40% of the building, is pending LEED Gold certification.

Not only is this project a huge milestone for The University of Southern Maine, it’s also a project that is near and dear to the project team. Many of us have lived and worked around the Portland area our entire lives, so witnessing this historic transformation right in the center of campus is truly spectacular. We couldn’t be happier for future students and staff to excel in their new state-of-the art space, while also remembering the extensive efforts from not only PC Construction, but the design team and trade partners. Congratulations to the entire team and all entities involved over the last four years to make this project a success!

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Today, PC Construction accepted a top national award from the Associated General Contractors of America for its work on the University of Southern Maine’s Portland Commons Residence Hall and McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success. The project earned a Construction Risk Partners Build America Award in the $76-$125 million new building category.

The project, with a total value of $83.6 million, is the largest in the school’s history. The 218,000-square-foot, eight-story Portland Commons student residence hall includes 580 beds with a mix of single-occupancy rooms, studios and multi-bedroom apartments. The 42,000-square-foot, five-story McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success offers a career and employment hub, meeting rooms, study spaces and amenities including a dining common, coffee shop and pub.

The two connected facilities, which are centered on a one-acre green quad, usher in a massive transformation of USM’s Portland campus. Portland Commons, the first-ever residence hall on the Portland campus, offers affordable living options to students in the region, enhancing the university experience. The state-of-the-art McGoldrick Center right next door contributes to a rich campus life outside of the classroom, providing opportunities for collaboration and connection.

The project also significantly contributes to USM’s sustainability goal of becoming fully carbon-neutral by 2040. Portland Commons, with its superior insulation and efficient building design, is the second-largest Passive House building at a university in the United States. The McGoldrick Center, with its large-scale 33.3-kW rooftop photovoltaic array and passive solar heating, is pending LEED Gold certification.

“As the largest construction project in USM’s history, we knew we needed the right team to bring our vision to reality,” said Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson, President, University of Southern Maine. “We selected PC Construction for their reputation in the higher education industry of professionalism, solution-minded approaches, and high-quality construction. Over the course of the project, I have seen that this reputation is well-deserved.”

PC Construction served as the design-builder working with the design team of Elkus Manfredi Architects and SMRT Architects and Engineers, in partnership with the P3 developer, Capstone Development Partners.

“We’re proud of our work on this project and honored to contribute to a vibrant and sustainable experience for future generations of USM students,” said PC President / CEO Matt Cooke. “I’d like to thank AGC America for this recognition, and the many partners and craftspeople for their strong collaboration. We had the absolute pleasure of working with so many incredible people, who all shared the vision of delivering an exceptional, high quality, safe project. Mission accomplished!”

Top: The three-story, 41,000-square-foot McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success building and quad form a new physical and metaphorical center of the campus, connecting existing facilities with amenities that serve the University population. Bottom: The 218,000-square-foot Portland Commons is the University’s first on-campus residence hall on the Portland campus with 580 beds in 385 units.

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Portland, ME – Today, PC Construction accepted a top national award from the Associated General Contractors of America for its work on the University of Southern Maine’s Portland Commons Residence Hall and McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success. The project earned a Construction Risk Partners Build America Award in the $76-$125 million new building category.

The project, with a total value of $83.6 million, is the largest in the school’s history. The 218,000-square-foot, eight-story Portland Commons student residence hall includes 580 beds with a mix of single-occupancy rooms, studios and multi-bedroom apartments. The 42,000-square-foot, five-story McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success offers a career and employment hub, meeting rooms, study spaces and amenities including a dining common, coffee shop and pub.

The two connected facilities, which are centered on a one-acre green quad, usher in a massive transformation of USM’s Portland campus. Portland Commons, the first-ever residence hall on the Portland campus, offers affordable living options to students in the region, enhancing the university experience. The state-of-the-art McGoldrick Center right next door contributes to a rich campus life outside of the classroom, providing opportunities for collaboration and connection.

The project also significantly contributes to USM’s sustainability goal of becoming fully carbon-neutral by 2040. Portland Commons, with its superior insulation and efficient building design, is the second-largest Passive House building at a university in the United States. The McGoldrick Center, with its large-scale 33.3-kW rooftop photovoltaic array and passive solar heating, is pending LEED Gold certification.

“As the largest construction project in USM’s history, we knew we needed the right team to bring our vision to reality,” said Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson, President, University of Southern Maine. “We selected PC Construction for their reputation in the higher education industry of professionalism, solution-minded approaches, and high-quality construction. Over the course of the project, I have seen that this reputation is well-deserved.”

PC Construction served as the design-builder working with the design team of Elkus Manfredi Architects and SMRT Architects and Engineers, in partnership with the P3 developer, Capstone Development Partners.

“We’re proud of our work on this project and honored to contribute to a vibrant and sustainable experience for future generations of USM students,” said PC President / CEO Matt Cooke. “I’d like to thank AGC America for this recognition, and the many partners and craftspeople for their strong collaboration. We had the absolute pleasure of working with so many incredible people, who all shared the vision of delivering an exceptional, high quality, safe project. Mission accomplished!”

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