What readers want to see at First Arena. How close is new leadership to making it happen?
Brit Floyd is set to take the stage at First Arena Wednesday night in a performance billed as “the world’s greatest Pink Floyd show,” but if readers have their way, the hits will just keep coming in downtown Elmira.
The Star-Gazette issued a reader survey this month asking what residents want to see at First Arena now that the venue is under new management overseen by the Chemung County IDA.
“More live music” was a popular refrain.
The requests ran the gamut from gospel music to country, hip-hop and modern rock bands — not just tribute acts like Brit Floyd, but bands making music today. Pearl Jam, Shinedown, Godsmack and Breaking Benjamin were among the suggestions.
“We need more live concerts,” said one reader. “Real artists.”
The good news for music fans? The IDA seems to be on board. Since taking over operations earlier this year, the IDA has focused on transitioning First Arena from a hockey focus to more of a community-centered events venue that can get people through the doors year-round.
“You’re looking at a very small group of people in the community who really support hockey,” said Mark Margeson, who chairs the IDA and the Chemung County Legislature. “We’ve got two hockey sheets of ice in there and the bottom line is, what about the rest of the people?”
Here’s a look at other popular requests from Star-Gazette readers, and how close the IDA might be to making them happen.
Comedians to crafts: What readers want at First Arena
Major concerts weren’t the only entertainment option requested by readers. Comedy shows, appearances by magicians and illusionists, rodeos and even live podcast performances were suggested for First Arena.
And readers are dreaming big.
“I want to see comedians like Gabriel Iglesias, Chris Rock, Jeff Dunham,” wrote one.
Others set their sights on smaller events like shows catering to arts and crafts, and home and garden enthusiasts.
Margeson said bridal shows, RV shows and “anything non-sports related” is on the table.
“WWE could come back,” said Margeson. “That’s one that’s been talked about, things like that.”
More: New vision, new leadership at Elmira's First Arena. Meet the team now overseeing venue
Changes to First Arena will impact public access, events
The IDA is making a big change to First Arena that will impact its public utility and the type of activities it can host. The recreational ice will be removed, leaving one primary sheet of ice used by the Elmira River Sharks, the junior hockey program and the youth program.
The resulting space will be covered in turf for indoor sports like soccer, lacrosse, corn hole tournaments — “anything we can put together that would appeal to another group of people in the community, not just hockey,” said Margeson.
The turf will be available for community groups to rent out for blocks of time, just like the ice.
“We figured the turf would open up opportunities for soccer and indoor lacrosse,” said Margeson. “It would expand our opportunities and let us be more flexible.”
The change dovetails with some ideas from readers who thought First Arena would be a good fit for pro lacrosse, arena football and basketball.
More: Pink Floyd tribute band Brit Floyd comes to Elmira's First Arena. What to know
First Arena will remain a haven for hockey, ice rink fans
The changes to the ice aren’t expected to reduce community access to the rink, according to the IDA. The ice will be available for open skates, skating lessons, youth teams and adult rec leagues.
Several reader suggestions were centered around the ice, with requests for blocks of time open to public skating, youth hockey with active parent involvement, and classes for beginning skaters and figure skaters. Another advocated for the return of Wine on Ice.
“A couple guys worked with us to work the schedule out so we can accommodate everyone on the main ice, and not have conflicts,” said Margeson. “That’s the goal.”
This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: New attractions planned at Elmira's First Arena. Here's the latest
