The scoreboards might not be up yet, but the Cornerstone CFCU Arena is in overtime. Originally the arena was slated for a Sept. 19 opening date. Now officials are eyeing Oct. 7. (PHOTOS BY HEATHER N. GRIMMER / ENP PHOTOGRAPHER)

BY SCOTT LEFFLER
scott.leffler@eastniagarapost.com

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Lockport Ice Arena Board VP Chuck Bell surveys the area from the roof of the arena earlier this week.

Lockport Ice Arena board members had hoped — and planned — that the arena would be open in time for the Lockport Express' first home game on Sept. 19.

Sept. 19 has come and gone and work on the arena continues. Seventy people working two shifts are putting up drywall, foamboard, and layers of dryfall. They're hanging hockey glass, putting up scoreboards and laying mats in the locker rooms. They show up en masse in the morning and some stay until late evening. They're inching closer to completion of the $14 million arena.

"Obviously, I'm disappointed that we couldn't get it skateable for the Express in time," said Lockport Ice Arena Board VP Chuck Bell.

The new Jr. A hockey team was to open the season with a three-game home stand last weekend. Instead, they played the games in Batavia, where they went 2-1 at "home." Tonight, the Express plays another "home" game at Niagara University's Dwyer Arena. And next Saturday's home game has been moved to the other side of the county, as well.

The arena was designed with views in mind. Surrounded by glass, visitors will be able to see Lockport's historic buildings.

Still, Express Head Coach and GM Frank Vecchio understands that delays happen.

"I speak with (arena general manager) Bob Filighera and (arena operator) Jim Cain almost daily regarding the rink," Vecchio said. "Although the process has been very frustrating at times, we feel the facility will be top notch and are trying to focus on the positive aspects of this process as much as possible."

Assuming next Saturday's game is the last one played at Dwyer — the Cornerstone Arena website now calls for an Oct. 7 opening — the Express will have played five home games outside of Lockport.

Still, there's plenty of hockey to play. In fact there would still be 11 home games played at Cornerstone, not counting post-season play. And the Express has three scheduled practices a week at their home ice through the month of February.

Hurry up and wait

Bell said arena construction has been hurried — and subsequently more expensive — in order to try to get it open this fall. Without weekend work and overtime shifts, the arena wouldn't have been ready at all for this hockey season.

Workers have been busy installing foam board, drywall and more at the arena, 34 Chestnut St.

Construction has also been delayed by forces outside the arena's and the contractor's control. Earlier this year, the project was delayed while the City of Lockport attempted to find a major water leak near the site. The water in the ground below the site has added costs — reportedly more than $200,000 — and continued delays to the arena. The leak has reportedly slowed, but has not yet ceased.

That leak is the source of a notice of claim filed against the city on Sept. 16. The notice, a warning that a lawsuit could be coming, was forwarded to the city's attorney, John Ottaviano — who also serves as president of the Lockport Ice Arena board.

Bell, who also serves as the city's economic development director, brushed off the delay, though. "The only thing that matters on timing is keeping the user groups happy."

Vecchio, while not saying he was unhappy, will surely be happier once the Express get to play hockey in the Lockport arena.

"We have several fun promotions planned for our fans once we get in the new arena in Lockport," Vecchio said. "But it's difficult to run them at different rinks so we look forward to bringing entertainment to our fan base in the new arena soon."

He said he's had his spirits bouyed by how helpful the hockey community has been with their situation.

"I will say that Larry Brzeczkowski, the rink manager and ACHA D1 coach at Niagara has been extremely helpful and accommodating for our program as we have had to scramble a bit for ice with the delays," he said. "John Nichols, president of Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles Hockey has also been very helpful and we sincerely appreciate their efforts to accommodate us with ice. It has not been easy but those guys have been great."

Wait ... user groups? 

Rink 1 looks like it's nearly ready for hockey but arena amenities are still coming together.

The Express is not the only organization set to use the new arena on the regular.

The Clarence Mustangs, a youth hockey organization with hockey teams for nine age/ability groups, will call Cornerstone Arena home when it it completed.

The arena also has adult and youth leagues scheduled, as well as a weekly slot available for pick-up games on Friday nights. Additionally, there's learn-to-skate programs and open skating planned for the arena, not to mention tournaments.

RELATED:

• More photos taken this week of the arena
• Smooth skating ahead?: Officials optimistic about economic development
• Arena photos from July
• Ice arena looks for fundraising assist
• Lockport arena to be "Cornerstone CFCU Arena"

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