Colisée’s new owners pledge to ‘bring life back’ to Lewiston’s top entertainment, sports venue
Lewiston’s Colisée Gets New Owners: Recovery Management Group Takes the Helm
Lewiston, Maine – On Tuesday, 8 September 2026, the city’s flagship arena, The Colisée, officially changed hands. Recovery Management Group of Maine (RMG), a limited‑liability company registered in New York, announced it had acquired the 190 Birch St. property from the city. The announcement was made in a press conference that drew the mayor, city officials, and the Colisée’s head coach.
“We feel like the Maine and Vermont connection is very tight, so the purchase made a lot of sense,” said RMG Vice‑President Luc Choquette, who introduced the group’s background. With six members—mostly native Vermonters—Choquette highlighted RMG’s track record of operating five other hockey rinks (four in New York and one in Connecticut) and five junior hockey teams.
A Vision of Renewal
Choquette said the group’s plan is to “bring life back to the building, bring life back to the community … and continue to restore the relationship the building has with the community.” He added that the organization has already installed new lighting and a new Zamboni, and will continue to upgrade the arena as the ice‑hockey season approaches.
“We’re excited to have fans in the building again and we’re hoping we can do a good job, ensuring we can move the building along, improve things like food and beverages, (while investing in) hockey as well as off‑ice stuff too,” Choquette told reporters.
RMG also pledged to keep the Colisée’s programming rooted in the local community. “We’re really excited to work with the Lewiston community,” Choquette said. “We’re really happy to serve the community and to be a part of it, and we’re looking forward to bringing this building back to its history.”
City Support and Financial Stance
Lewiston Economic Development Deputy Director John Blais noted that the city has been in constant communication with RMG, but the municipality has not committed any public funds to the ownership transition. “We’re working closely with them, but the financial arrangements remain private,” Blais explained.
Mayor Carl Sheline, who stood beside Choquette at the press conference, reflected on the arena’s legacy. “It is where generations of Lewiston families learned to skate, where fans found their seats and their voices,” Sheline said. “But today begins another chapter. We are excited to see what we build together – on the ice, in the stands and throughout Lewiston.”
A Look Ahead for the Lewiston Maineiacs
The Colisée is home to the Lewiston Maineiacs, who will take the ice for the first time this season on 25 September. Head coach Caleb Labrie welcomed the new ownership, saying, “We’ve got about three weeks to kind of get everything situated, but we’re definitely excited with the group that we have right now and a lot of the young talent we got in the building to start.” Labrie added that the team is “entering the new season with more talent and looks forward to building on a run to the regional finals.”
The RMG pledge to maintain youth hockey and community events—both on‑ and off‑ice—should reinforce the arena’s role as a central gathering place for Lewiston’s residents. The group’s history of operating multiple rinks and teams in the region gives it experience in balancing sport, community engagement, and facility management.
Community Impact
The Colisée has long been more than just a sports venue; it has been a cultural touchstone for Lewiston. RMG’s commitment to “bringing life back to the building” and improving amenities such as food and beverage service signals a potential uptick in attendance and community involvement. While the city’s financial contribution remains nil, the partnership between RMG and local officials could set a precedent for public‑private collaboration in maintaining community landmarks.
The Road Ahead
As RMG takes over operations, the next few weeks will be critical. The group will likely finalize renovation plans, secure vendors, and schedule community events. For the Maineiacs, the impending season will be a chance to test the newly upgraded facilities and to rally the fan base once again.
For Lewiston, the Colisée’s new chapter begins with a promise to honor its past while investing in a future that keeps the town’s hockey spirit alive. With RMG’s expertise and local leadership’s enthusiasm, the arena may soon resume its role as the beating heart of the community.
