Gutterson Fieldhouse

Gutterson Fieldhouse is a multi-purpose arena located on the campus of the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont. The fieldhouse is home to the Vermont Catamounts men's basketball and Vermont Catamounts women's basketball teams, which compete in the America East conference. The arena has hosted various events, including concerts featuring Elton John, Bob Dylan, and Phish, as well as Harlem Globetrotters games and University of Vermont commencement ceremonies, often attended by notable figures such as Bernie Sanders and Patrick Leahy. The fieldhouse is situated near other University of Vermont facilities, including the Patrick Gym and the Morse Athletic Complex, and is accessible via Interstate 89 and U.S. Route 2.

● History

The history of Gutterson Fieldhouse dates back to 1963, when it was opened as a replacement for the Patrick Gym, which was built in 1906 and named after Ralph Patrick, a former University of Vermont athletic director. The fieldhouse was named after Joseph Gutterson, a former University of Vermont athletic director and coach, who led the Vermont Catamounts men's ice hockey team to several ECAC Hockey championships. Over the years, the fieldhouse has hosted numerous events, including NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship games, America East Men's Basketball Tournament games, and concerts featuring The Grateful Dead, The Rolling Stones, and Aerosmith. The fieldhouse has also been used for University of Vermont events, such as the annual University of Vermont Winter Carnival, which features ice hockey games against rival teams like the University of New Hampshire Wildcats and the University of Maine Black Bears. Notable attendees of these events have included Howard Dean, Jim Douglas, and Peter Shumlin.

● Design and Construction

Gutterson Fieldhouse was designed by architects Shepley Bulfinch, who also designed other notable buildings, including the Boston Public Library and the Harvard University Widener Library. The fieldhouse features a unique design, with a hyperbolic paraboloid roof and a seating capacity of over 4,000. The construction of the fieldhouse was managed by Turner Construction, a company that has also worked on projects such as the Madison Square Garden and the Prudential Center. The fieldhouse is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a scoreboard and a sound system, designed by companies like Daktronics and Bose Corporation. The fieldhouse is also located near other notable buildings on the University of Vermont campus, including the Waterman Building and the Billings Memorial Library, which houses a collection of rare books and manuscripts, including works by Robert Frost and Ralph Waldo Emerson.

● Facilities and Features

Gutterson Fieldhouse features a range of facilities and amenities, including a main arena, a concourse, and several luxury suites. The fieldhouse is also equipped with a weight room and a training room, which are used by the Vermont Catamounts athletic teams. The fieldhouse has hosted events in conjunction with other University of Vermont facilities, such as the Patrick Gym and the Morse Athletic Complex, which offer additional amenities like a swimming pool and a track and field facility. The fieldhouse is also located near several Burlington, Vermont landmarks, including Church Street Marketplace and Lake Champlain, which offer a range of dining and entertainment options, including restaurants like The Farmhouse Tap & Grill and Hen of the Wood, and events like the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival and the Vermont Folk Life Center.

● Events and Usage

Gutterson Fieldhouse has hosted a wide range of events over the years, including concerts, ice hockey games, and basketball games. The fieldhouse has been used by the Vermont Catamounts men's basketball and Vermont Catamounts women's basketball teams, as well as the Vermont Catamounts men's ice hockey team, which competes in the Hockey East conference. The fieldhouse has also hosted events featuring notable performers, such as Dave Matthews Band, Phish, and Trey Anastasio, as well as comedy acts like Jerry Seinfeld and Louis C.K.. The fieldhouse is also used for University of Vermont events, such as commencement ceremonies, which have been attended by notable figures like Madeleine Albright and Bill McKibben. Additionally, the fieldhouse has hosted events in conjunction with other organizations, including the Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce and the Burlington City Arts.

● Renovations and Upgrades

Gutterson Fieldhouse has undergone several renovations and upgrades over the years, including a major renovation in 2012, which added new luxury suites and a video scoreboard. The fieldhouse has also been equipped with new seating and a sound system, designed by companies like Daktronics and Bose Corporation. The renovations were managed by PC Construction, a company that has also worked on projects such as the Xfinity Center and the TD Garden. The fieldhouse is also scheduled to undergo additional renovations in the future, including the installation of a new ice rink and the addition of new concourse amenities. The renovations will be funded in part by donations from notable University of Vermont alumni, including John Abele and Robert L. Duncan.

Category:Indoor arenas in the United States