ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com

---

The Lockport Ice Arena and Sports Center is going full throttle towards a fall opening.

With $11 million raised of the total $13 million needed to complete the project, project organizers have turned to the community at large to "make an assist" to finish the funding on the project.

Organizers ask that people visit lockportice.org/get-involved to contribute. Lockport Ice Arena and Sports Center is a not-for-profit 501 ( c) (3), meaning contributions could be tax deductible.

Ice Arena Board Chairman John Ottaviano said Wednesday that a large portion of that $2 million will be contributed by corporations and other benefactors. Part of it will also come as part of a major naming rights agreement that will be announced on Wednesday.

However, Ottaviano said, the board wants community involvement, saying the donate button on the website is "for community spirit and to let the public get involved."

Once completed, the facility will have two NHL-sized ice rinks, spectator seating for 630 people, a performance training center, community room, and 7,000 square feet of retail space, including food service.

Organizers expect that the arena will bring 150,000 people to downtown Lockport annually and require 4,000 hotel room stays annually.

---

East Niagara Post is now on FourSquare. Add us as a friend to see where we're at.