The Portland Exposition Building, which has recently been used as a polling place and an emergency homeless shelter, may next become a tool for fighting another emergency: the coronavirus pandemic.
The brick building on Park Avenue next to the William B. Troubh Ice Arena is being considered as a COVID-19 mass vaccination site after the Maine Red Claws, who would normally occupy the Expo during the winter and early spring, opted to sit out rather than compete in this year’s NBA G League bubble in Orlando, Florida.
Kristen Dow, the city’s Health and Human Services director, confirmed the possible use of the Expo to deliver vaccines in response to a question from City Councilor Belinda Ray during a recent council HHS Committee meeting.
The Expo also continues under consideration for use as a shelter, according to a city spokesperson.
