04/30/2024
I would like to give a brief history of Pro Hockey in Elmira. When the arena was built over 20 years ago it was for Pro hockey and possibly college hockey. The ice system installed had an economic life of 16 to 20 years. The ice system crashed last year. There were also no working Zambonis.
The original owner, who also owns the arena in Frazier where Motor City plays had a consultant from Michigan talk to me just before he walked away from the building. Our League was only 2 years old at the time. Another group took over and operated in the ECHL; the losses were too much, so they walked away. By that time the ice plant was in its last stages. Then Robbie Nichols operated in the only League that can support Pro Hockey. He operated until the virus and then the lease was terminated. A year later Steve Donner operated the building under the same terms as Nichols.
Based on the resume of Donner he should have been able to operate and I don't blame anyone for that failure including the CIDA. I operate throughout the entire East Coast and meet all of the arena representatives and I can tell you Joe Roman and his staff, the Chamber are all as professional as anyone I have been involved with.
Last year when I approached the CIDA we had talked about a similar agreement as Donner but was different than many places I have operated for over 30 years. The reason the deal was different was because a salesman told CIDA them that he could raise a fortune through his efforts. He was fired by Donner and was not successful and eventually was fired by the CIDA 5 months into the process. I warned the CIDA that this salesman was not going to work 4 different times.
Some history on Pro Hockey - The NHL started in 1917. Currently, the other 4 Professional Hockey Leagues are the AHL, ECHL, SPHL, and FPHL. In the history of Professional Hockey in North America, only 8 Leagues have lasted more than 10 years of which the FPHL is one of these.
The consultant from Michigan was used again to advise the Port Huron management from the city and he told them to join our League. They had a NAHL team that relocated to Connellsville, PA then folded with 100 fans going to the game. Port Huron has been successful for 8 years. Danbury has a NAHL team and draws far less than the Federal League. Elmira fans are knowledgeable fans. Whoever is trying to bring in an NAHL team is in the background and is assuming our fans are stupid. The Elmira fans are wonderful, loyal, and understand hockey. In Juniors, players are minors and have to live with billet parents. We already have an excellent well operated Junior program - The Impact. Should the large advertisers that spent big money to save Pro Hockey still spend the same for youth hockey?
If Pro Hockey fans fall for this we will never have Pro Hockey again. There are many stupid statements made like “knock it down”, which is crazy. It is a nice asset for the community. The turf field may be a great addition. The arena has new boards and will have a new ice system those are all positives. And, although I was not a paid consultant, I found the current Zamboni at half price, told them were to buy boards, and how to install them. I also helped in all phases of the rental skates. I would like to also clarify I was never given a proposal to run the First Arena.
I have an ice crew from Syracuse in Texas today for a future team I will be involved in. In Binghamton and all other places in the League rent is paid and teams get ad money, ticket money, luxury box income and a share of concession money.
I have offered the same rent as Binghamton ($ 3,000 a game), although they have 25% more seats which I will guarantee for 5 years. I will also have several other projects going so I won't be at every game like this season.
I also don't want anyone from the CIDA harassed for any reason. I believe they are being misled like the salesman they hired did to them, and in turn the new team plans on misleading advertisers and fans.
