Whether you have toured as an applicant, competed in away games, or seen videos and pictures online, you’ll know the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center at Colby College is a notable addition to Colby’s athletic infrastructure.

The 350,000 square foot facility sports floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the building with natural light, the only Olympic-sized pool in Maine, and a courtyard to get some air between lifts or study. Aside from the building design, the center also includes luxurious amenities such as massage chairs and hot and cold tubs for student athletes.

Harold Alfond and the Alfond Foundation gifted $101 million to Colby College for this project in 2020. But some Batesies have long been under the impression that this donation was bypassed by Bates’ administration.

This rumor, though provocative, is false. According to Eric Foushée, Vice President of the Bates College Advancement Office, Bates was never offered a $100 million athletics donation.

“I don’t know where this rumor got started, but it is definitely a myth,” Foushée said.

Foushée clarified that because the Alfond family’s philanthropic priorities are closely tied to Colby and the Waterville community, making a similar gift to Bates unlikely.

Foushée explained, “Colby is the alma mater of several Alfond family members, and one of the foundation’s three stated strategic focus areas is on revitalization projects located in the Waterville region.”

That being said, the Alfond Foundation has made substantial donations to institutions across Maine as part of a broader $500 million investment initiative. This includes Thomas College, who received a $13.5 million grant alongside Colby as part of the “Guaranteed Future Campaign” that supports scholarships, academic programs, and athletic facilities.

Other notable institutions supported by the Alfond Foundation are the University of New England, who was gifted $30 million. The University of  Maine, although separate from the $500 million dollar project, has received $170 million dollars to be spent on their athletic facilities.

“There have been times over the years when Bates has worked to engage with the foundation, but it has never been offered or received grants,” continued Fousheé.

In an attempt to reach the Alfond Foundation to provide information about their donation history with Bates, they ultimately did not respond.

The scale of Colby’s investment compared to Bates’ existing infrastructure may have fueled speculation among students. While questions still remain about the future of Bates’ facilities, advancement confirmed there was never a comparable offer on the table from the Alfond Foundation.