© 2024
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
An update has been released for the Android version of the WAMC App that addresses performance issues. Please check the Google Play Store to download and update to the latest version.

New Financial Campaign, General Manager At Glens Falls Civic Center

Lucas Willard
/
WAMC

While summer is typically a slower time for the Glens Falls Civic Center, arena leaders are keeping busy with a new fundraising campaign, a new general manager, and a new hockey team.

Adirondack Civic Center Coalition President Dan Burke says it’s a busy time before the ice comes back in September.

"The hockey team is out selling their season tickets, and we're getting calls for shows, concerts, so-on-and-so-forth. So it's getting busy and we're happy about that."

As the Adirondack Thunder sells season passes for its inaugural season, the Adirondack Civic Center Coalition is also selling seats, though not for a hockey game.  

The Coalition is attempting to raise nearly half-a-million dollars to support the venue through the Glens Falls Civic Center Foundation.  Guests can pay $100 to purchase and place a plaque with their name on any of the 4,794 seats in the building.

Burke said the group is trying to do a lot of things, but they must keep their eye on the financials.

"And we need to make sure that we've got enough capital cash to get us to where we've got it up and running at a pretty stable base. And that's what we're doing. We're raising some money so we can help to operate it with our goal of purchasing it within next four years," said Burke. 

The Coalition is in a lease-purchase agreement with the city, which sought to sell the arena after years of operating in the red.

After parting ways with previous managing company Global Spectrum, the Coalition has brought in a new managing director. Jeff Mead comes into the position after the temporary stay by previous manager Jack Walter.

Mead, who played hockey at Glens Falls High School, comes back to the area after managing an arena in Dallas. He also worked at venues in Arizona, and Illinois.

Mead said he'd like to maximize the potential of the ice at Glens Falls with more youth and adult hockey.

"But also, you know, not just being a one-trick pony where it's all "hockey, hockey hockey," and complimenting that with the concerts that make sense, some other events that make sense, and some facilities rentals. So I'm going to try to make it a good mix for the community."

Meanwhile, a preliminary effort is under way to secure a grant from a state economic development competition to develop a micro-grid, connecting the Civic Center with Glens Falls Hospital, City Hall and emergency services, and wastewater treatment plant, in the event of a power outage due to extreme weather.

Ed Bartholomew, president of EDC Warren County and economic development director for the City of Glens Falls, said a preliminary meeting was held this week with neighboring Monroe regarding use of the town's hydroelectric facilities.

"While they're located in Glens Falls, they really serve a region, and I think that pooling our resources with the Town of Monroe makes us a stronger application. We just have to go through with the feasibility study of this preliminary study over the next several months to determine the prospects of how well our concepts will work out."

Lucas Willard is a reporter and host at WAMC Northeast Public Radio, which he joined in 2011.
Related Content