'A MAGNIFICENT FACILITY'

POTSDAM — The arena where Clarkson University's hockey team competed for 56 years was reborn Friday as a multiuse athletic practice facility.

State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, who as an assemblyman secured $1 million for the building's renovation, helped rededicate the Walker Center with university President Anthony G. Collins.

"I remember being dragged in here, kicking and screaming, and the building looked pretty useless to me. I was convinced in short order. We all know Tony has a lot of vision, and he helped me see what we're able to do here," Mr. Aubertine said. "It's a magnificent facility."

The former hockey arena has been transformed into an indoor practice space for both Clarkson and community teams. The Walker Center's roof was replaced, and its heating, windows, locker room and facade were redone.

A synthetic-turf field has replaced the ice rink, and the lobby soon will be renovated to highlight the history of Clarkson hockey.

"We're not just renovating Walker Arena, but we're creating a world-class athletic complex for soccer and lacrosse inside, and a turf field outside," college President Anthony G. Collins said. "This is the beginning of a riverfront athletic and recreational complex that will truly be second to none in the country, and highlight and celebrate our environment."

The Walker Center will be used by the college's soccer, lacrosse, baseball, rugby and intramural soccer teams, as well as by Potsdam Central School's football, soccer and baseball teams, Athletic Director Steven J. Yianoukos said.

Mr. Aubertine toured the facility along with alumni and relatives of the late Murray G. Walker, for whom the building was named in 1975.

"Dad would be smiling today," said Patricia W. Mulholland, Mr. Walker's daughter. "He was very involved in civic things, so he would be thrilled that this is being opened up for town use. And he'd be really pleased, having two daughters, that it's being used for women, too."

Known as the "father of Clarkson hockey," Mr. Walker worked with Gordon Croskery, a mechanical engineering professor, to organize the college's team in 1921. The arena, built in 1938, replaced the outdoor ice rink in Ives Park.

Mrs. Mulholland and her sister, Melinda W. Krajewski, grew up skating and watching Clarkson hockey games in the arena that would be named for their father.

"When they decided to renovate it, I was absolutely delighted," Mrs. Krajewski said. "My father would be so happy to see this."

The renovation of the Walker Center is part of a wider plan to revamp Clarkson's riverfront property extending to Bayside Cemetery. The college plans to demolish its plant and services building and a residence hall along the water, and move those facilities to the hill, so that it can create green space with playing fields and trails next to the Raquette River.

Walker also will use a pellet-burning facility to heat half of the building, Mr. Collins said.