HALLOWELL — Thomas College and the Ice Vault made its new relationship official Wednesday afternoon.

Students, coaches, athletic department members, Thomas College President Laurie Lachance and the Prescott family — the owners of the Ice Vault — were on hand for a dedication and announcement of a 10-year naming rights agreement between the building and the Waterville-based school. Going forward, it will be known as the Thomas College Ice Vault.

“It is a great day to be a Terrier,” Lachance said to the crowd at the start of the ceremony.

Lachance, athletic director Christopher Parsons, assistant director of admissions Ryan Kappelman, Peter Prescott and Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Katie Doherty each made remarks during the 25-minute presentation, spoken in front nearly packed stands full of Thomas alums, students and school officials.

The first announcement of the agreement was first announced by the school in mid-August. The rink has been the home of the Thomas College club hockey team since 2016, after the closing of their previous home, Sukee Arena, in 2016. Aside from the agreement with the Ice Vault, the school has taken steps to grow ice hockey, announcing the addition of a women’s club team that will be added for the 2025-26 season. Bill Boardman, general manager of the Ice Vault and the current head coach of the Black Tigers high school girls co-op team, will be the head coach of the Thomas women’s team.

“It’s awesome, it’s been my home rink for 10 years,” said Kappelman, who is an assistant coach for the Thomas club team. “First playing for the Maine Moose, then Thomas and now coaching Thomas. Your team always wants a home rink. They’ve always been great to us, but now just seeing this, this is home.”

“It’s great, it gets our name out there better,” said Thomas hockey player Tyler Gay. “It represents our school and makes us feel more at home. It means everything (to play here). The fact that we’re not really on campus, but we have a fan base that’s willing to drive this way to watch us play. We always have packed games, and this gives back to all the other students (that support us).”

As per the agreement, Thomas signage, including its signature paw logo, will be spread outside and throughout the building. It was already on display inside the rink Wednesday afternoon, particularly in the corner near the Zamboni entrance. Thomas College is already spelled out in large letters outside of the building next to the Ice Vault logo, which can clearly be seen by drivers passing by on I-95.

The Prescott family was presented with a Thomas hockey jersey and joined in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. It closed with a video, shown inside of the arena, of a bus moving out of the way of the building’s new logo, drawing loud applause from the crowd.

“It’s a joy for me, as I prepare to retire (as president) on Nov. 1, for this to be one of several final events,” Lachance said. “Today, we come together for the realization of a very big dream.”

“I had a four-hour speech, but I’m pretty frozen, so I’m going to cut it short,” Peter Prescott joked with the crowd. “I just think (the partnership) is great, to help the community. What we’re all trying to do, if you think about it, is not only the state of Maine, but the community, we’re trying to get everybody to live, work, play and stay in the community. I think this is a really good start.”