Paul Post
By Paul Post
It wasn’t terribly long ago that some people called for closure and redevelopment of the Glens Falls Civic Center, which had become a financial albatross to its owner, the City of Glens Falls.
There was no hockey team and few other events were held throughout the year.
Now with a new name, Cool Insuring Arena, and under new management, the facility brings an estimated 250,000 people downtown annually, generating welcome revenue for a variety of local business.
In no small way, it’s a major contributor to the city’s economic revitalization.
The community has embraced the Adirondack Thunder hockey team, which is averaging nearly 3,500 fans per game, the most in its history, and almost 10,000 people turned out for two of the most recent home games on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23-24.
But the center’s most anticipated annual event is this month’s three-day (March 17-19) New York state public high school boys basketball tournament, featuring top teams and players from throughout the Empire State.
“It’s a great event for the arena, but certainly Warren County as well,” said Jeff Mead, the center’s general manager. “Between 10,000 and 15,000 people will come for the weekend. It’s especially important because March is a little bit slower time of year. For three days the tourney fills hotels, restaurants, bars and retail stores.”
Lake George Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau, citing a Destinations International event impact calculator, says the hoop tourney contributes $5.7 million to the local economy. This includes immediate returns for lodging, food and beverage, and related travel spending, plus the long-term benefit of people making repeat visits to the area for events, recreation and vacation ideas they learn about during the tourney.
To help fans experience the area, the Chamber offers a mobile “show your badge” pass that helps familiarize them with places and things to do nearby.
“Some businesses also offer discounts to pass holders,” said Amanda Metzger, Chamber marketing director. “We also use news about events like this to promote the area for other similar activities.”
Passes may be obtained by going to the “Area Information” heading on the tournament website (nysphsaa.org/tournaments), which directs viewers to a wide range of information about local attractions and places to eat in Glens Falls and Lake George.
The basketball tourney returned to Glens Falls in 2022 following a four-year absence after Binghamton had it for three years, plus a year off because of COVID. Tourney director Arthur “Chip” Corlew cited major arena capital improvements as a key reason for Glens Falls getting the tournament back again.
“The basketball’s always going to be good,” he said. “Where it’s gotten better is Cool Insuring Arena has done a ton to get the facility looking great. Between the locker rooms, painting walls and ceilings, the sound system, scoreboard, and WiFi, they have done an amazing job to make that the venue to play the high school championships in.”
The tourney is run by the New York State Public High School Athletic Association. “Before it was simply a basketball tournament,” Mead said. “That’s how it was operated for many years. Now they operate these tournaments as events. We use the video board, show replays and use technology and building upgrades to meet what NYSPHSAA wants.”
Last fall, five new luxury suites opened just in time for hockey season, giving the arena a much-needed additional revenue stream. Priced at $1,000 per game, they sold out for 30 of the Thunder’s 36 games, and several were filled for a recent visit by the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters to Glens Falls.
Mead said the suites will be priced significantly lower for those who want one during the basketball tourney.
This spring, the arena will embark on another major project with hopes of further enhancing its income. Plans call for a complete makeover of Heritage Hall, the building’s event space.
“We think there’s a lot of opportunity to bring in trade shows, business meetings and weddings,” Mead said. “By partnering with Queensbury Hotel we can bring bigger shows to downtown Glens Falls.”
Work on the $750,000 project will begin right after the Thunder season ends. It will include all new carpeting, walls, a dropped ceiling, audio visual and HVAC upgrades, a new kitchen, increased storage space and a much larger bar capable of hosting large parties.
Looking further ahead, a new ice resurfacing machine is scheduled to arrive in early 2024, replacing the current outdated model and plans call for new glass and boards around the hockey rink as well.
“Any day there isn’t an event going on here we rent ice time to Adirondack Youth Hockey Association and four or five adult leagues,” Mead said. “So the building is used seven days a week, August through May. Plus, we have some summer events a well.”
“We invest about $250,000 per year on capital improvements,” he said. “It’s a long term process that will never end.”