Bob Filighera, general manager of Cornerstone CFCU Arena talks with members of the Lockport Business Association about the arenas two Zambonis during a personal tour for LBA members this evening. (HEATHER N. GRIMMER / ENP PHOTOGRAPHER)

BY SCOTT LEFFLER
scott.leffler@eastniagarapost.com

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Lockport Community Development Director Chuck Bell talks with members of the Lockport Business Association. (SCOTT LEFFLER / ENP STAFF)

A feasibility study commissioned by the city's economic development department shows that Lockport is in need of more hotel rooms — in large part because of the new Cornerstone CFCU Arena.

Chuck Bell, the city's community development director, told members of the Lockport Business Association this evening that the city "felt that there might be a growing demand" for hotels.

"The news is good," Bell said. "There is demand."

During the NA3EHL showcase held Jan. 17-19, all three Lockport hotels reported being fully booked for at least one of the nights.

The city is still parsing through data from the report, Bell said, but added "it looks like that 100,000 to 150,000 people were were talking about (from the arena) is achievable."

Brian Smith, VP of business development for the Greater Lockport Development Corp. added to Bell's statements, saying that 4,000 hotel room nights per year are needed from the arena alone.

"There is growing demand for new hotel rooms in downtown Lockport," Smith said.

The pair spoke with local business owners at the LBA's quarterly member meeting. About a dozen local business owners were in attendance for the meeting, which also included words from Jim Sullivan, executive director of the arena, and a tour by arena General Manager Bob Filighera.

Jim Sullivan, executive director of Cornerstone Arena, center, discusses the arena's finer points this evening, while Bob Filighera, arena general manager, and Bill Scirto, owner of Scirto's Jewelers, look on. (SCOTT LEFFLER / ENP STAFF)

There's more photos of the LBA tour of the arena here. (link)

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