Northeastern University Athletic Facility Construction Delayed by Asbestos Discovery
Construction of Northeastern University's new Multipurpose Athletics and Recreation Facility has been delayed by approximately nine months due to the discovery of asbestos-containing materials. The materials were found during the demolition of the old Matthews Arena, which was built in 1910. University officials, including Brett Sweet, senior vice president for finance and administration, confirmed the delay, pushing the completion date from fall 2028 to spring or summer 2029. The discovery prompted a suspension of work and consultation with the state's Department of Environmental Protection. This finding aligns with testing conducted in 2024 by environmental engineering firm Haley & Aldrich, which had reported concentrations of lead, asbestos, and other toxic chemicals in the soil of the Matthews Arena lot. The new facility, estimated to cost between $300 million and $350 million, is intended to house the university's men's and women's hockey and basketball teams, as well as provide space for student recr... 
