It has taken five years, but the old “Sears” building on Chestnut Street in Lockport is coming down.
A claw cut into the building as the official Groundbreaking for a two-pad ice arena took place on Tuesday, October 29
Joining Lockport Ice Arena and Sports Center President John J. Ottaviano were William May, executive director of the Henrietta Grigg-Lewis Foundation which gave a $4 million leading gift to the project; Lockport Mayor Michael Tucker; Gerald Farnham on behalf of Assemblywoman Jane Corwin; NYS Senator George Maziarz and HARBORCENTER President John Koelmel. Maziarz also brought along a surprise guest, Nick Wallenda, the tightrope walker who is planning to build a family entertainment complex in the WNY area.
The ice arena features two NHL-sized ice rinks; spectator seating for 630; a performance training facility and a community room. There will also be space for food service providers.
Bammel Architects PC are the designers of the facility. Financing will be a combination of a long-term debt, coupled with public, private and government support. Plans for a capital campaign are being formulated.
The grand opening is slated for the Fall of 2014.
