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125-465: The LECOM Event Center is a 3,784-seat multi-purpose facility located in downtown Elmira, New York . It features two ice surfaces, a full-service restaurant and bar, a food service center for the recreational rink, video game arcade, 31 luxury suites, party/group outing facilities, and meeting/community rooms among other amenities. The arena opened in 2000 as the Coach USA Center and changed names to

250-539: A Federal Prospects Hockey League team to Elmira with Nichols leasing the arena, not purchasing it. On July 17, Nichols and the IDA announced that Nichols would lease the arena for a year with renewals for the following two years and an option to purchase. Nichols brought in a Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) franchise and intends to hold other events. The new FHL team was announced as the Elmira Enforcers and began play in

375-464: A World War 2 era Victory Ship , was named after the city. The following are listed on the National Register of Historic Places : Federal Prospects Hockey League In its inaugural season, the league had a salary cap of $ 5,050 per week. The roster was limited to 20 players for the first six games and 17 thereafter. A handful of National Hockey League players and draft picks joined

500-418: A combination of malnutrition , prolonged exposure to brutal winter weather and disease directly attributable to the dismal sanitary conditions on Foster's Pond and lack of medical care. The camp's dead were prepared for burial and laid to rest by the sexton at Woodlawn National Cemetery , ex-slave John W. Jones . At the end of the war, each prisoner was given a loyalty oath and given a train ticket back home;

625-438: A fight in the 3rd period. With a 4–0 Danville lead and less than 10 minutes to go, Jesse Felten and Matt Puntureri squared off at center ice, and as punches would have been thrown, both players hugged it out instead. Next, Puntureri pulled a can of beer from his pads, opened it, and in each other's embrace, the two skated around center ice toasting the crowd to mixed reactions. The league announced that Felten would be suspended for

750-455: A game-winning goal landing on the back of the Enforcers' goaltender and then fell across the goal line when he got up. The Enforcers heavily contested the call, with team-leading scorer Ahmed Mahfouz verbally confronting the officials and leading to a physical altercation between head coach Brent Clarke and a linesman. Mahfouz then broke his stick over the goalpost and tossed it over the glass into

875-479: A member of the Federal Prospects Hockey League . The team was owned by Elmira Pioneers co-owner Robbie Nichols, who also had the option to purchase the arena. A dispute between the county and Nichols forced the team to disband in 2020, leaving the arena to sit empty until TDSE agreed to a lease in 2021. In the year 2023, First Arena has struggled to stay afloat & maintain tenants. First Arena

1000-450: A minimum of two years but the IDA rejected the proposal, saying it would leave them financially exposed. The IDA presented a counter proposal to Nichols, which he and his group rejected. On October 3, 2017, the City of Elmira approved a resolution proposed by the IDA to apply for a "Restore New York" grant to help repair the arena's ice plant and roof. The repairs were intended to help the IDA get

1125-765: A new franchise to play in Southwest Pennsylvania to begin play in the 2014–15 season, named the Southwest Pennsylvania Magic. The Magic were to play at the Rostraver Ice Garden in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania. This brought the league to five teams and mark the FHL's return to Pennsylvania. In an interview, commissioner Don Kirnan stated he hoped to see as many as 7–8 teams in the FHL by the next season. However, after playing one game in which they lost 10–2 to

1250-757: A new team based in Brewster, New York , to be called the Stateline Whalers , and would play at the Brewster Ice Arena under former the Danbury Whalers CEO and managing partner Herm Sorcher. The Stateline Whalers were announced as being owned by Barry Soskin, who also owns the Port Huron and Danville teams and formerly owned the Dayton Demonz. The Danbury Whalers were officially considered to be on hiatus for

1375-594: A new team, eventually named the Watertown Wolves . On October 30, 2014, it was announced that a neutral site game would take place on January 31, 2015, in Port Huron, Michigan , at McMorran Place , with an eye towards future expansion into Port Huron. The Danville Dashers defeated the Danbury Whalers 4–1 in the Port Huron game. The attendance at the game was 1,709. The Watertown Wolves captured first place by

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1500-588: A population in 2000 of 90,070. The Elmira MSA was ranked as the 59th safest place to live out of 344 Metro Areas in 2005 by Morgan Quitno Press. The three largest ethnic groups in Elmira are Irish, German and Italian. The city government is a Council-Manager form of government in which the City Manager is the primary administrator of the city. There is one mayor elected at large and six council members elected from each of six council districts. The term of office of

1625-578: A state prison for first offenders in 1866. It opened in 1876 as the Elmira Reformatory, under the direction of Zebulon Brockway , serving offenders aged sixteen to thirty. It was the first institution of its kind, and a model for others to follow. In 1970 the complex was renamed the Elmira Correctional and Reception Center. In 1950, the Elmira's population peaked at about 50,000, which represented 57 percent of Chemung County's total population at

1750-411: A wide variety of heat treatment technologies to both domestic and international customers such as Hilliard Corp., Ford Motors, General Signal and others. Hardinge, Inc. (formerly Hardinge Brothers), established in 1890 and now headquartered in Elmira, manufactures precise turning machines for the domestic and international market. Starting in 1995, Hardinge began expanding their product line and over

1875-738: Is "Honoring the Past, Building the Future" . It is featured on an Entrance sign erected in 2003 into the city from Exit 56 of the Southern Tier Expressway along with honored Elmirans including (L to R) Brian Williams , Hal Roach , Ernie Davis , Mark Twain , Eileen Collins , John Jones , and Tommy Hilfiger . The slogan was designated by Mayor Stephen Hughes following the conclusion of a slogan contest in which Marlin Stewart, Alan and Barbara Hutchinson, and James Lloyd were recognized for their contributions to

2000-417: Is a city in and the county seat of Chemung County, New York , United States. It is the principal city of the Elmira, New York, metropolitan statistical area , which encompasses Chemung County. The population was 26,523 at the 2020 census , down from 29,200 at the 2010 census , a decline of more than 7 percent. The City of Elmira is in the south-central part of the county, surrounded on three sides by

2125-422: Is a medium-size regional airport, and the only area airport that offers scheduled airline service. Located 7 miles (11 km) northwest of downtown, the airport has non-stop flights to Detroit in addition to seasonal flights to Atlanta served by Delta Air Lines , and two routes to Florida served by Allegiant Air with the airline serving seasonal flights to Punta Gorda and Myrtle Beach . The City Slogan

2250-507: Is land and 0.27 sq mi (0.7 km ) (3.56%) is water. The Chemung River flows eastward through the city. Elmira is built almost entirely in the flood plain of the Chemung River and has suffered many floods, the worst from Hurricane Agnes in 1972. Newtown Creek, flowing from the north, joins the Chemung River at the city's southeast corner. Interstate 86 / New York State Route 17 , The Southern Tier Expressway , connects with

2375-460: Is one of the world's largest manufacturers of products for waterworks distribution, potable and wastewater treatment, and fire protection system projects. They are most famous for their fire hydrants which can be found around the world. Kennedy Valve was acquired by McWane in 1988. Trayer Products, established in 1929, manufactures parts mostly for the heavy truck industry; primarily truck chassis parts such as king pins and shackles. During

2500-413: Is said the town was named after tavern owner Nathan Teal's young daughter, but that story has never been confirmed. According to Amos Bugbee Carpenter's "Carpenter Memorial" family history book printed in 1898, Elmira is named after Major General Matthew Carpenter's daughter. This naming occurred, according to this book, in 1821 at the constitutional convention to which Matthew was a delegate. In any case,

2625-537: Is served by several intercity bus operators. New York Trailways serves Elmira on one of its routes between Binghamton and Rochester . Short Line serves Elmira on its route between Binghamton and Olean . OurBus provides service to Elmira on a route between New York City and Niagara Falls . Fullington Trailways discontinued service between Elmira and Williamsport, Pennsylvania in April 2022. The Elmira Corning Regional Airport ( IATA code ELM, ICAO code KELM)

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2750-612: Is used by local youth & high school ice hockey, Elmira College NCAA ice hockey, and a new FPHL franchise expected to open at the start of the 2023-2024 season. The arena also hosts musical acts, family productions, and many other large entertainment performances such as concerts and circuses. The following is a partial list of notable concerts and other entertainment events that have taken place at First Arena: 42°05′18″N 76°48′31″W  /  42.08835°N 76.808482°W  / 42.08835; -76.808482 Elmira, New York Elmira ( / ɛ l ˈ m aɪ r ə / )

2875-745: The British . The expeditionary force fought a combined British-Haudenosaunee force at the Battle of Newtown , south of the current city, in which the Continental Army was victorious. After the conclusion of the war, the Haudenosaunee and the United States signed a treaty at Elmira in 1791 to settle territorial disputes in the region. Most of the Cayuga emigrated under pressure from encroaching American settlements with

3000-726: The Chemung Canal completed in 1833; later, the Junction Canal was constructed to connect Elmira with Corning , facilitating transport of coal from the Pennsylvania mines via the Northern branch of the Susquehanna Canal system. In 1849, the New York and Erie Railroad was built through Elmira, giving the area a New York City to Buffalo route. In 1850, the Elmira and Jefferson Railroad gave

3125-579: The Danbury Ice Arena announced that it did not want to renew its contract with the Danbury Whalers and gave them a notice to evict by April 17, leaving the last remaining team from the inaugural FHL season homeless. On April 17, 2015, the Steel City Warriors announced that it had suspended operations, stating that the team was unable to find a suitable home arena, but had hopes to return for

3250-585: The Dayton Demolition . On December 23, the Dayton Demolition announced that it had postponed its December 26 game against Danbury due to "scheduling issues" with Hara Arena. On December 28, the Demolition then announced that its new home arena would be South Metro Sports , a recreation center with a seating capacity of approximately 200, in nearby Centerville, Ohio . After one home game at South Metro,

3375-675: The Delaware Thunder of Harrington, Delaware . On March 16, 2020, the league canceled the remainder of the 2019–20 season schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic . The league announced two expansion teams: an unnamed team in Bloomington, Illinois , and the Motor City Rockers in Fraser, Michigan . However, both teams eventually withdrew from the 2020–21 season. The start of the 2020–21 season

3500-564: The Elmira Enforcers , one year after the Elmira Jackals had ceased operations. In the same press conference, FHL commissioner Kirnan confirmed that North Shore was not returning. The following week, the league announced another expansion team in Mentor, Ohio , called the Mentor Ice Breakers to bring the league back to six teams. The league also slightly altered its primary logo, changing

3625-660: The Pittsburgh Penguins , played for the Cape Cod Bluefins in 2011–12, scoring 10 goals, 40 points, and 109 PIM in only 15 games. During the 2010–11 season, the Broome County Barons relocated to Cape Cod due to lack of fan support, and Rome Frenzy suspended operations mid-season. Akwesasne won the first Commissioner's Cup title with a 3–1 series win over the New York Aviators . In February 2011,

3750-667: The Town of Elmira . It is in the Southern Tier of New York, a short distance north of the Pennsylvania state line. The city was the site of the Elmira Prison , a prisoner-of-war camp that held over 12,000 captured Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War . Elmira College is located within the city. The region of Elmira was inhabited by the Cayuga nation (also known as

3875-460: The "Dayton Pro Hockey" team, formerly known as the Dayton Demolition before removing references of the Demolition name in March 2016, announced it would be going dormant for the 2016–17 season. Owner Joe Pace Sr. claimed that Hara Arena was unable to sign leases to tenants and he did not believe he could put together a team without a proper lead up time and secured arena. He also stated he would look to keep

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4000-449: The 2016–17 season. Also in April 2015, the FHL lost a lawsuit in which the league was ordered to pay former player Kyler Moje a sum of $ 800,000, after Moje became legally blind due to an injury incurred during a game on February 10, 2012. The FHL would appeal the judgment, citing that their lawyer never properly filed their legal response, but lost the appeal leading to speculation that the current league would have to fold in order to avoid

4125-408: The 2018–19 season. Nichols, and his ownership group CAN-USA, operated and paid for the upkeep of the arena during the initial three-year lease agreement. In July 2021, the IDA took over operations of the arena again when the county and CAN-USA failed to reach a lease extension in time. On July 29, the IDA reported the arena needed $ 6–8 million in repairs and upgrades in order to continue operations and

4250-559: The Afrs and a vice president from Key Bank in Albany closed on a $ 5.5 million loan. Tamer Afr, Mostafa Afr's son and business partner, announced that Global Spectrum had replaced Lauridon Sports Management as the arena facility manager. This lasted three months before they announced that SMG would manage the arena instead. The City Council also approved a roof design for the project in June 2000 that increased

4375-622: The Berkshire Battalion, the Magic's membership in the league was revoked due to financial problems. They were replaced, under new ownership, by the Steel City Warriors, again located in Belle Vernon. On July 14, 2014, the FHL announced another new franchise to begin play in Berlin, New Hampshire , to be called the Berlin River Drivers. However, on September 8, 2014, the league announced that

4500-684: The Bluefins folded at the end of the season. On January 27, 2013, the first game in FHL history to be completed with no penalties was played between the New York Bluefins and the Danville Dashers at Palmer Arena in Danville, Illinois, a 7–4 Danville win officiated by referee Matt Spaeth. On March 22, 2013, the Danbury Whalers swept the Dayton Demonz to win the Commissioner's Cup. The attendance at

4625-661: The CCIDA, which put the Enforcers dormant for the 2021-22 season. Watertown owner Andreas Johansson brought a team back to Binghamton after the relocation of the Binghamton Devils AHL franchise. Named the Black Bears, the team plays at the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena . The top six teams qualified for the playoffs, with the top two seeds getting byes in the first round. The top-seeded team in each round picked

4750-559: The Chemung County legislature voted to maintain the arena to be open to the public but asked the Elmira City Council to contribute nearly $ 1.5 million of taxpayer money over five years to repair the ice plant and pay back bills. They council voted against it, saying that doing so would require a 3% property tax increase. The Chemung County IDA argued that they only had enough funds to operate the arena for another week. On February 10,

4875-402: The City of Elmira, nicknamed "The Queen City," was incorporated in 1864 from part of the town of Elmira and the village of Elmira. The remaining part of the town of Elmira exists still, surrounding the city on the west, north and east. The city and town share an intricately entwined history. It appears that Amos Carpenter in his 1898 book was referencing an 1879 book. White Man's Legend. In

5000-559: The City of Elmira: 14901 (northside), 14902 (downtown), 14904 (southside), and 14905 (West Elmira). The Chemung County Transit System operates regularly scheduled fixed route service within the City of Elmira and Village of Horseheads. Another route links Elmira with Corning Community College, also linking passengers with the Steuben County Transit System (SCT) and Corning Erwin Area Transit System (CEATS). Elmira

5125-449: The Commissioner's Cup. The Watertown Wolves completed renovations to their ice rink and signed a new one-year lease agreement with the city of Watertown in order to return after one season off. In addition, the league expanded to St. Clair Shores, Michigan ( Metro Detroit ) with the new St. Clair Shores Fighting Saints , playing out of the St. Clair Shores Civic Arena . On July 13, 2016,

First Arena - Misplaced Pages Continue

5250-419: The Demolition returned to Hara Arena. On January 17, the FHL removed Dadds as owner and on January 19, Joe Pace Sr., the former coach of the Danville Dashers , was announced as the head of the new ownership group for the Demolition. At the conclusion of the regular season, Danbury, Danville, Dayton, and Port Huron qualified for the playoffs. Port Huron would sweep the regular season champion Danbury Titans for

5375-624: The Demonz sported new jerseys. Mike Brown, a Boston Bruins draft pick from the early 2000s, was injured and Kevin Hoy took over in net for Danbury. Dayton captain Brian Marks scored in overtime to force a fourth game, which Dayton also won. Dayton won game five and the Commissioner's Cup in a 9–2 victory. Jeff Rose was awarded the playoff MVP award. In the final game of the regular season between Danville and Dayton, two friends and former teammates decided to stage

5500-520: The Erie's New York City to Buffalo line. A great deal of the 30-acre (120,000 m ) Union installation, known as Camp Rathbun, fell into disuse as the Civil War progressed, and the camp's "Barracks #3" were converted into a Civil War prisoner of war camp in the summer of 1864. The camp, in use from June 6, 1864, until autumn 1865, was dubbed "Hellmira" by its inmates. Towner's history of 1892 and maps from

5625-854: The FHL announced it would add new teams in Morrisville, Vermont , and Danville, Illinois , later named the Green Mountain Rock Crushers and the Danville Dashers , respectively. In May, the FHL announced an expansion team in Wayne, New Jersey , called the New Jersey Outlaws . By June, the FHL had been unable to establish a team in Vermont and included the Niagara Falls Nationals with the Dashers and Outlaws in an expansion draft. But by July 2011,

5750-403: The FHL title by sweeping the Danbury Whalers in three games. In May 2012, it was announced that the Brooklyn Aviators were ceasing operations and that an expansion team was being added in Dayton, Ohio , the Dayton Demonz (originally announced as the Dayton Devils) at the Hara Arena . The Dayton expansion draft and the Brooklyn player dispersal draft were both held on June 15. In July, it

5875-409: The First Arena in 2004. It has been home to the Elmira Jackals from its opening until 2017 and the Elmira Enforcers of the Federal Prospects Hockey League from 2018 to 2021. It is located on the corner of W. Gray Street and N. Main Street. The arena's naming rights are held by Transdev . On March 2, 1998, Elmira city officials announced Lauridon Sports Management as the developed and operator

6000-414: The IDA presented a counteroffer to the Elmira City Council asking for $ 750,000 to repair the ice plant. They indicated that an answer is required by close of business on February 13, but extended the deadline for an answer from the city to the morning of February 16. The council decided that they would be unable to provide any financial assistance to the county for First Arena. The IDA hoped to be able to keep

6125-433: The Jackals played their home opener against the Knoxville Speed . The Moody Blues were the first musical entertainment at the arena the following night. In October 2003, the Coach USA Center was renamed First Arena. In April 2006, Mostafa Afr announced that Robbie Nichols would take over operation of both First Arena and the Jackals. He became the arena's eighth general manager in less than six years and its fourth manager in

6250-543: The Jackals would cease operations at the conclusion of the 2016–17 season. Finalization of the deal was contingent upon the new owner obtaining another hockey franchise. Possibilities were from an announced new amateur league called the International Developmental Hockey League (IDHL), which listed a team called the Elmira Express on its web site, or the Federal Prospects Hockey League , a low-level professional league. The Jackals played their final game on April 8, 2017. On June 27, 2017, Barrett backed out of negotiations for buying

6375-441: The Kanawaholla) of the Haudenosaunee prior to European colonization . Cayuga residing in the region maintained relations with European settlers, primarily related to the fur trade , but were otherwise relatively isolated from encroaching colonial settlements. During the American Revolutionary War , the Sullivan Expedition of 1779 was mounted by the Continental Army against the four Haudenosaunee nations which had allied with

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6500-430: The Nationals were gone and the Green Mountain Rock Crushers (which later changed its name to the Vermont Wild in September) were re-added to the schedule. In December 2011, the FHL announced that the Vermont Wild had folded and a new team, the Delaware Federals , would replace them on the schedule as a road-only team; the Federals played their first game on December 16, 2011, against Cape Cod. The New Jersey Outlaws won

6625-404: The Township of Chemung, now Chemung County , in 1788. The settlement of Newtown was soon established at the intersection of Newtown Creek and the Chemung River . In 1792, the settlement at Newtown joined with the Wisnerburg and DeWittsburg settlements to form the village of Newtown. In 1808, the village officially changed its name to the Town of Elmira , at a town meeting held at Teal's Tavern. It

6750-407: The UDC implemented the "New Elmira Plan". This entailed the removal of buildings along the river to create Riverside Park, and razing other buildings in the business district for two parking garages. Altogether, forty percent of Elmira's commercial space was eliminated as part of the plan. Local citizens lamented the loss of character and vibrancy of downtown Elmira. In March 1993, the city of Elmira

6875-483: The area a route north and, in 1854, the Elmira and Williamsport Railroad a route south. These railroads and their connections made the city a prime location for an Army training and muster point early in the Civil War . In 1872 construction began on the Utica, Ithaca and Elmira Railroad , eventually creating a route to Cortland and Syracuse via Horseheads , Breesport and Van Etten . The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad , completed in 1884, competed with

7000-408: The arena effective immediately and planned to re-open. On April 27, 2022, TDSE's Steve Donner announced that a new FPHL franchise will be occupying the arena beginning with the 2022–2023 hockey season. The team will be known as the Elmira Mammoth, taking its namesake from the rich history of the Chemung River . The team's colors will be orange, purple, and white. On July 30, 2024, the First Arena

7125-414: The arena open until the Jackals' season ends in mid-April. On March 7, the potential buyer dropped the request for taxpayer funding. The buyer also needed to submit paperwork to the ECHL by March 9 to ask for approval for a change in ownership, and to affirm that the Jackals would play the next season. On March 10, it was announced that local businessman Brian Barrett would take ownership of First Arena, but

7250-422: The arena operator, the Jackals and First Arena. EDA and Key Bank filed two more lawsuits in April accusing the county of not following proper procedure in administering its foreclosure process. County judge Judith O'Shea dismissed the lawsuit filed March 22 against county officials and the suit filed against Nichols and Lewis. On May 17, 2012, a memorandum of understanding was signed by Tamer Afr for EDA, Santulli for

7375-405: The arena. On July 5, 2017, Elmira Pioneers co-owner and former Jackals coach and general manager Robbie Nichols expressed a desire to bring a Federal Prospects Hockey League team to Elmira for the 2017–18 season. However, after meeting with county officials and the IDA, Nichols announced that they could not come to an agreement and the plan was put on hold. Nichols offered to lease the arena for

7500-421: The arrival of local police. The next meeting between the two teams resulted in a sellout at Watertown Municipal Arena, but there were no further incidents. The Dayton Demonz won the first series over the Watertown Privateers, two games to one, to play top seeded Danbury in the finals. Danbury won the first two games of the finals, with game one in overtime from a goal by Igor Karlov. Back in Dayton for game three,

7625-405: The average family size was 3.05. In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.1% under the age of 18, 13.0% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.2 males. The median income for a household in the city

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7750-640: The beer, food, beverage and liquor markets in North America. Anchor Glass is now wholly owned by the Ardagh Group S.A. CAF-USA Inc has its main U.S. plant in Elmira Heights on the site of the former American Bridge Company . CAF USA is a subsidiary company of Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles , a Spanish manufacturer of passenger rail products (including trains, high-speed trains, locomotives, light rail vehicles and other rail equipment). CAF-USA Inc trains are typically designed for North America's market, based on Spanish design and technologies. Elmira Heat Treating, established in 1962 in Elmira, offers

7875-413: The branding from Federal Professional Hockey League to Federal Prospects Hockey League, while still using the FHL abbreviation. On March 10, 2019, Enforcers' owner Nichols assaulted a referee after the first period of a game against the Carolina Thunderbirds . The game was immediately cancelled by the officials, and subsequently led the FHL's officiating supervisor resigning from the league and pulling all

8000-399: The building up to par so it can be sold. Only cities can apply for such a grant. In January 2018, the IDA was still trying to get professional or college hockey into First Arena, focusing on Elmira College , located a few blocks from the arena, whose team was using the Murray Athletic Center, eight miles from campus. On June 25, 2018, the IDA reopened negotiations with Robbie Nichols to bring

8125-431: The center of national sports attention, first in a brawl during a game against the Watertown Privateers in which a collision between Danville goalie Nick Niedert and Watertown enforcer Jeff Dill took place, sparking a brawl, and soon spilled between benches, and punches were briefly thrown between Danville coach Mike Kellermeyer and Privateers coach Brad Zangs. Officials managed to get the situation under control thanks to

8250-465: The city at Exit 56. New York State Route 14 passes through Elmira between Watkins Glen and Pennsylvania . New York State Route 13 begins near Lake Ontario and travels through Cortland and Ithaca before ending in Elmira. New York State Route 352 begins in Elmira at Exit 56 of the Southern Tier Expressway and continues West into Corning . As of the census of 2000, there were 30,940 people, 11,475 households, and 6,701 families residing in

8375-441: The city could not reach an agreement. Demolition began on September 21. Thomas Freeman, president of Coach USA Transit Services, signed an agreement to pay $ 1 million for the arena to be called the Coach USA Center. By October 4, the Chemung County Legislature requested the $ 7.25 million promised by Lauridon Sports Management and its private investor for the project, Mostafa Afr of Ann Arbor, Michigan, must be in place by December 1, or

8500-399: The city of Cornwall, Ontario , approved a team called the Cornwall Nationals to begin play for the 2016–17 season out of the Ed Lumley Arena . On September 16, the FHL approved of the addition to the league for the upcoming season. The new team replaces the recently folded Cornwall River Kings and is led by Mitch Gagne and Rodney Rivette. The first expansion team of the 2017–18 season

8625-413: The city's $ 11.6 million proposed arena. By September, the Midtown Plaza on North Main Street was selected as the site for the arena. Lauridon then committed $ 5 million to the $ 15 million project. In July 1999, five downtown businesses were notified of eviction from their properties and Elmira City Council unanimously voted to begin eminent domain proceedings against Paul Navestad, the only property owner whom

8750-444: The city. The population density was 4,229.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,633.0/km ). There were 12,895 housing units at an average density of 1,762.7 per square mile (680.6/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 82.03% White , 13.05% Black or African American , 0.39% Native American , 0.49% Asian , 0.03% Pacific Islander , 1.37% from other races , and 2.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.14% of

8875-423: The cleanup. Operating in secrecy, Rochester, NY-based Eastman Kodak sent crews as part of Operation Rebuild. Their efforts rebuilt 78 homes and assisted in the repairs of countless others. Elmira city leaders approached the New York State Urban Development Corporation (UDC) to lead the redevelopment of the city post-flood. With a select group of businessmen and city officials attempting to minimize public input,

9000-560: The county and Kevin Keeley as president of STED that allowed the Jackals to play in the facility during the 2012–13 season. The agreement also allowed EDA to continue operating the arena but gave the county the same rights as STED to oversee arena operations. On February 5, 2013, officials announced that Elm Arena LLC, a group headed by Tom Freeman, president of First Air in Big Flats, had been named as

9125-567: The county would pull its $ 1.25 million in support for the project. On October 26: Key Bank approved Afr's application for a $ 7.25 million loan to help build the center. The arena then held its groundbreaking ceremony on November 24, 1999. On January 28, 2000, the Chemung County Industrial Development Agency closed on the county's $ 1.25 million loan to the project and the rest of the financing was completed in February with

9250-595: The demands were unreasonable. On June 27, it was reported that the FHL had approved of a new team Danbury, Connecticut, to replace the now departed Whalers. Local businessmen, Bruce Bennett and Edward Crowe were announced as the ownership group. Bennett would announce the new team as the Danbury Titans and had signed a six-year lease to play at the Danbury Ice Arena. On July 15, during the team's inaugural booster club meeting, Danbury Titans ownership confirmed that

9375-408: The early days, when new settlements had to be named, the white man, in imitation of his aboriginal forerunner, gave a name to his settlement that was associated either with tradition, or, as in this case, with his ideal of loveliness. According to Hon. Hiram Gray, Matthew Carpenter, then a member or the legislature and a man of influence, having seen this beautiful valley, resolved that Newtown should be

9500-500: The emotional investment in running a professional sports franchise, backed out. After making it to the championship in the 2016–17 season , the Berlin River Drivers ceased operations due to the increased overhead costs of running the team and not selling enough season tickets for the following season. The Danbury Titans would also fold for citing overhead costs and specifically workers' compensation insurance in Connecticut. When

9625-564: The end of January before traveling to Watertown for the February 3 game. However, the game was cancelled with the Wolves awarded a forfeit win due to a pregame altercation after an Elmira player attempted to enter the Wolves locker room, leading to the police being called to the arena. The remainder of the Elmira/Watertown series was then cancelled and no further games were scheduled until other teams would be able to participate. On February 11,

9750-724: The end of March, the Knights released all players and staff. The Cornwall Nationals folded during the season due to lack of funds despite sitting in second place at the time. The five Nationals' games that were to take place against the Watertown Wolves were replaced by a travel-only team called the Northern Federals. All other games were immediately considered forfeits and were cancelled. On July 17, 2018, Robbie Nichols announced he had acquired an expansion team in Elmira, New York , called

9875-472: The end of regular season and were followed by the Dayton Demonz in second place. The Danville Dashers finished in third followed by the Danbury Whalers who finished in fourth. The Wolves won the FHL championship in the playoffs over the Dashers in a five-game series. On April 2, 2015, the FHL announced an expansion team, the Port Huron Prowlers , to begin play in the 2015–16 season. On April 3, 2015,

10000-542: The estimated cost of the arena to $ 16 million. On March 27, 2000, the United Hockey League awarded an expansion franchise to Elmira to begin play in the 2000–01 season. The team name was revealed as the Elmira Jackals . The Twin Tier Amateur Hockey Association and Tamer Afr also signed a contract for youth hockey to be played at the arena. On November 11, the first event is held at the center when

10125-427: The facility to several potential buyers hoping to be in a position to select a buyer by late July or early August 2016. However, no purchase proposals were received by the June 24 deadline. Negotiations continued with three interested parties. On August 24, the process had been narrowed to one party, who was also interested in buying the Jackals. The IDA hoped to complete the transaction by January 2017. In January 2017,

10250-457: The final game was 3,116, the largest single-game attendance in the history of the league. The FHL played with four teams for the season, and in a bid for expansion played neutral site games in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Connellsville, Pennsylvania. Dayton Demonz forward Ahmed Mahfouz led the league in scoring and was the league's Most Valuable Player. The Danville Dashers twice were

10375-524: The hiring of a consultant to investigate the arena's financial status and physical condition. The EDA responded on March 22, 2012, by filing a lawsuit against Chemung County, county executive Tom Santulli, county treasurer Joseph Sartori and STED to try to force the county to accept the repurchase offer on the arena. EDA and M-Team LLC, a Michigan corporation, also filed a lawsuit against former arena general manager Robbie Nichols and former assistant general manager Donald Lewis alleging they attempted to sabotage

10500-404: The last prisoner left the camp on September 27, 1865. The camp was closed, demolished and converted to farmland. Woodlawn Cemetery, about 2 miles (3 km) north of the original prison camp site (bounded by West Hill, Bancroft, Davis and Mary Streets), was designated a " National Cemetery " in 1877. The prison camp site is today a residential area. The state legislature authorized the building of

10625-478: The league announced the start of a four-team season beginning of February 19 consisting of Carolina, Columbus, Elmira, and Port Huron, with Carolina playing all games on the road. The schedule left room for the return of other teams. The league also stated there would be an end-of-season tournament, but it would not be for the Commissioner's Cup. The postseason was announced as the Ignite Cup, a five-game series between

10750-573: The league as the Pennsylvania Blues, a travel team that played four road games to fill in other teams' home schedules for the remainder of the season. On December 15, 2012, control of the Cape Cod Bluefins was transferred to the league and renamed the New York Bluefins with the intent to play home games in Syracuse, New York ; however the league only used them as a travel team for 13 games and

10875-732: The league had re-organized and they will own the new Brewster team (formerly announced as the Stateline Whalers); Barry Soskin will continue to own the Danville Dashers and Port Huron Prowlers, but no longer be involved in Brewster. On July 18, Bennett announced the team would be called the Brewster Bulldogs and that neither of his teams would be connected to the former Whalers. On July 15, the Battalion announced via their Facebook page that

11000-512: The league website listed teams called the Baldwinsville Bandits, Elmira Express, Newark Diamonds, Palmyra Battalion, Syracuse Crush, and Watertown Whalers. The league held a tryout camp on June 15, 2017, for prospective players. However, on June 26, the IDHL then announced it would not play and instead purchased the Watertown Wolves when the team's local ownership group, said to be exhausted from

11125-565: The league would expand instead into North Adams, Massachusetts , with the Berkshire Battalion , citing the market to be a better fit. During the previous season, a group of local investors worked to purchase the Watertown Privateers, owned by Don Kirnan. On May 14, 2014, news circulated that the owners group, named Top Shelf Hockey, LLC and led by local businessman Stanley Tibbles, had acquired Kirnan's franchise rights and started

11250-623: The mayor and council members was two years, until a 2003 referendum extended the terms to four years (four-year terms began after the 2007 election). The mayor and council members are all part-time employees. The City Manager, City Clerk, City Chamberlain, City Assessor, and Corporation Counsel are all appointed by the City Council. All remaining department heads serve at the request of the City Manager. The city has 125 miles (201 km) of road, 210 miles (340 km) of water lines, and 175 miles (282 km) of sewer lines. There are four ZIP codes in

11375-581: The new operator of First Arena, replacing the Afr family. The agreement ended all pending litigation. On April 10, the Jackals held a press conference to name Tom Freeman and Nathan Cook the new owners of the First Arena and the Jackals. In September 2014, the Jackals were donated from Freeman to a private non-profit community organization, Twin Tiers Economic Development (TTED), a 30-member board to oversee

11500-755: The next game before the Thunderbirds won the championship in game four. Following the 2018–19 season, the league fully branded itself as the Federal Prospects Hockey League with a new FPHL logo. Between May and July 2019, the league announced four expansion teams: the Battle Creek Rumble Bees of Battle Creek, Michigan ; the Columbus River Dragons of Columbus, Georgia ; the Danbury Hat Tricks of Danbury, Connecticut ; and

11625-414: The organization. On January 28, 2016, the Chemung County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) entered into an "option to purchase agreement" with a down payment of $ 300,000, giving the IDA time to consider all factors and options about the future of the arena. The IDA then assumed temporary ownership of First Arena and the Jackals until a new owner could be found beginning in April 2016. The IDA gave tours of

11750-567: The other nations of the Haudenosaunee to Canada , where they resettled on land provided by the British Crown . The first European-American settler in Elmira was Abraham Miller, who served as a captain in the Continental Army. Miller constructed a cabin after resigning just before the end of the Revolutionary War. Miller's Pond and Miller Street are named after him and are near the location of his house. The New York legislature established

11875-414: The owner of the Berkshire Battalion , Williams Dadds, announced that he intends to relocate the team from North Adams, Massachusetts, before the 2015–16 season after lease negotiations for the ice rink fell through. The city administration asked the team to only play a maximum of three Friday night games next season and repay all current debts prior to any lease being signed by the city but Dadds decided that

12000-399: The past year. On October 31, 2007, Elmira Downtown Arena (EDA), the arena operator, entered into an Installment Agreement to pay taxes on which it had defaulted. EDA then defaulted on the agreement on March 31, 2008. From 2009 to 2011, the arena continued to fail to pay its taxes. On January 17, 2012, the 4:30 p.m. deadline passed to pay $ 123,849 in overdue taxes and a foreclosure order

12125-590: The payment. On May 20, 2015, the Berlin River Drivers announced their resurrection as the FHL's 7th team, to play at Notre Dame Arena in Berlin, New Hampshire. A year prior, the River Drivers were slated to join the FHL in 2014–15 before the league reassessed their options and expanded into North Adams, MA instead. On June 3, 2015, due to the eviction of the Danbury Whalers, the Federal Hockey League announced

12250-472: The period indicate the camp occupied a somewhat irregular parallelogram , running about 1,000 feet (300 m) west and approximately the same distance south of a location several hundred feet west of Hoffman Street (Foster Avenue) and Winsor Avenue, bordered on the south by Foster's Pond, on the north bank of the Chemung River. In the months the site was used as a camp, 12,123 Confederate soldiers were incarcerated; of these, 2,963 died during their stay from

12375-410: The population. There were 11,475 households, out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.3% were married couples living together, 18.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.6% were non-families. 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and

12500-471: The principal city, and that it should bear the name of a lady friend for whom he entertained a high opinion, and accordingly, in 18[0]8, the name was changed to Elmira. Elmira served as a transportation hub for New York's Southern Tier in the 1800s, connecting commercial centers in Rochester and Buffalo with Albany and New York City , via the canal system and railroads. The city was the southern terminus of

12625-545: The ranks, most notably Pierre Dagenais and Billy Tibbetts . Dagenais, who played 142 games for the New Jersey Devils , Montreal Canadiens and Florida Panthers , played two seasons for the Akwesasne Warriors amassing 107 goals and 197 points in 68 regular season games, and helped Akwesasne win the first Commissioner's Cup. Tibbetts, who played the role of an enforcer in his brief 82 game NHL career, mostly with

12750-399: The referees from the FHL citing the need to protect his personnel. Nichols was issued the league-maximum fine of $ 25,000. The league then recruited local officials for the remaining games. The Thunderbirds and Enforcers met again in the league championships, with the Thunderbirds opening the series with winning the first two games. In the second game, the Thunderbirds won in overtime with

12875-502: The remainder of the season and the playoffs, and he took a year off of organized hockey before returning to the FHL to play for Dayton in the 2015–16 season. No immediate discipline for Puntureri was announced, since it was Danville's last game of the season. Puntureri later stated that he believed he would be banned for life, which turned out to be correct; as he never played another professional game in North America. The FHL awarded

13000-628: The schedule was released for the season, the Fighting Saints were listed with home games in Gravenhurst, Ontario , Témiscaming, Quebec , South River, Ontario , and Kingsville, Ontario . They were eventually announced to have relocated to Kingsville as the North Shore Knights . By December 2017, the Knights would forfeit or attempt to reschedule most of their home games before the team would forfeit all remaining home games after February 11. At

13125-488: The season by the FHL, but gave up their naming and territorial rights to Brewster. On June 22, 2015, the Watertown Wolves announced that they would suspend operations for the 2015–16 season due to their arena being renovated and an inability to find a temporary arena to use in Northern New York. The Wolves plan to resume operations for the 2016–17 season, after their arena renovations are completed. On June 26, 2015,

13250-494: The stands before leaving the ice. Finally, Enforcers' goaltender Passingham was still disputing the goal with the official before leaving for the visitor's locker room, with the walkway passing directly next the fans, and a fan threw a filled cup at Passingham. Passingham then attacked the fan before they were eventually separated. Clarke, Mahfouz, and Passingham were all suspended by the league: Mahfouz for one game, Passingham for two, and Clarke for five games. The Enforcers then won

13375-485: The summer of 1972, Hurricane Agnes struck the eastern seaboard of the United States, causing significant damage stretching from Florida into New England. Elmira was particularly hit hard by the flood, with over an estimated $ 291 million in damage. Over 15,000 people had to flee the city, and approximately 5,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. Coordinated efforts between local churches and regional businesses helped with

13500-588: The team in Dayton in 2017 even if Hara Arena is still not available. Hara Arena would end up closing permanently in August 2016. In June 2016, Brewster Bulldogs owner, Bruce Bennett mentioned to The News-Times that he would solely focus on his Danbury Titans team and would no longer be involved with the Bulldogs. Without finding new ownership, Bennett decided to suspend Bulldogs operations on July 14, 2016. On September 14,

13625-403: The team they would play. All rounds were set to be best-of-three. In the first round, #5 seeded Carolina swept #6 seeded Port Huron, while #3 seeded Danbury, beat Binghamton in three. In the second round, Danbury and Carolina were swept by Columbus and Watertown respectively. Putting a best of three series between the Wolves and River Dragons. The two teams split the first two games, setting up for

13750-605: The team was moving to Dayton, Ohio, to replace the Dayton Demonz. On July 16, the Port Huron Prowlers announced that the protected player list from the Demonz had been transferred to their team and officially announcing the end of the Demonz. In the same press release, the Prowlers also confirmed that Dadds would be relocating the Battalion to Dayton and play in Hara Arena . On July 25, Dadds announced his Dayton team would be called

13875-598: The time. Today, the city has approximately 25,000 residents, which represents 34 percent of Chemung County's population. This population decline is due to the national decline in railroads and manufacturing as well as a population shift to the outer suburbs around Elmira. The Elmira Metro area has nearly 100,000 people. The population decline began during the recession of the early 1970s during which several large employers (Ann Page, American Bridge, General Electric , American LaFrance, Westinghouse and Remington Rand) either closed their factories or moved to other states. The decline

14000-428: The top two teams that had played at least 16 regular season games. By March, Danbury had opted out of the season and Danville had lost their home arena when it was replaced by a Southern Professional Hockey League expansion team. For the 2021–22 season, Delaware, Watertown and Danbury all returned, while Motor City stayed on hiatus. Elmira was barred from their arena, as the team's lease ended with First Arena and

14125-577: The winning slogan. In 2021, the sign was defaced as Brian Williams was replaced with Judge Jeanine Pirro . On at least two hilltops near the city (mostly on Harris Hill to the northwest) pioneer pilots established the sport of gliding in America. Harris Hill is the site of the National Soaring Museum and was also used for glider trainings during World War 2. These sites are now recognized as National Landmarks of Soaring . The SS Elmira Victory ,

14250-584: The years has acquired L. Kellenberger & Co. AG, Hauser-Tripet-Tschudin AG, Jones & Shipman, and Usach Technologies, Inc. In 2004 they also acquired Bridgeport, world-famous for its milling machines and machining centers. Hilliard Corporation, established in 1905, has two locations in Elmira and serves the international market in filters, brakes, clutches and starters for a variety of industrial and commercial uses as well as consumer equipment from Polaris and MTD . Kennedy Valve, located in Elmira since 1905,

14375-505: Was $ 27,292, and the median income for a family was $ 33,592. Males had a median income of $ 31,775 versus $ 22,350 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 14,495. About 17.9% of families and 23.1% of the population were below the poverty line , including 32.6% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over. The Elmira, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area (or Elmira MSA) is frequently used for statistical information such as labor rates and includes all of Chemung County with

14500-497: Was 0.5 miles (0.80 km) wide and took the city by surprise as this area has not been prone to tornadic activity. Elmira is at 42°5′23″N 76°48′34″W  /  42.08972°N 76.80944°W  / 42.08972; -76.80944 (42.089874, −76.809559). According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has an area of 7.6 sq mi (19.6 km ), of which 7.3 sq mi (19.0 km )

14625-601: Was announced in August 2016 as the Carolina Thunderbirds in Winston-Salem, North Carolina . In February 2017, the FHL announced it was partnering with a developmental league called the International Developmental Hockey League (IDHL) for the 2017–18 season. It was originally intended to be focused on players between the ages of 20 to 23 who had aged out of junior leagues. At one point,

14750-536: Was announced that the defending champion New Jersey Outlaws were relocating to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, after only one season in New Jersey. Rather than playing in a traditional ice arena, they played outside on an ice rink at Bowman Field , home to the minor league baseball team the Williamsport Crosscutters . This venture was unsuccessful as the team folded on January 21, 2013, only to be resurrected by

14875-403: Was considering the option of demolishing the building instead. The Enforcers were then forced to go dormant for the 2021–22 season citing lack of communication from the IDA. Nichols hopes to bring the team back in 2022 if the two sides continue negotiations. The initial bid to demolish the building was made at $ 1.2 million. In November 2021, the county had a second assessment made on the arena and

15000-570: Was exacerbated by the flood of 1972, during which many of the downtown businesses and single-family homes were destroyed or replaced by subsequent Urban Renewal projects in the Chemung River flood plain. Anchor Glass Container Corporation, headquartered in Tampa, Florida , is in the old Thatcher Glass facility in Elmira Heights . Anchor Glass produces a diverse line of flint, amber, green and other colored glass containers of various types and designs for

15125-486: Was found to have no critical issues in order to keep the building with a minimum of about $ 500,000 in Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades needed to re-open. There were several recommendations made that would significantly increase the cost of repairs, such as $ 1.5 million for new ice rink equipment. Later that month, the county made a lease agreement with Tadross Donner Sports and Entertainment, LLC. (TDSE) to operate

15250-457: Was hit hard by a snow blizzard, nicknamed " Storm of the Century ", that added 17 inches of snow to Elmira in a single day. On July 26, 2012, an EF1 tornado touched down near Cottage Drive off of Route 352 and traveled through Golden Glow and the rest of the city. Moderate damage was seen after the storm passed and hundreds of trees and power lines were blown down. No one was injured. The tornado

15375-478: Was postponed several times amidst the ongoing capacity and travel restrictions in the pandemic into 2021. The Delaware Thunder also withdrew while the Mentor Ice Breakers folded entirely. On January 12, 2021, the league planned to start its season on February 3 with Elmira and Watertown and staggered starts for the other members as they are cleared to play. Elmira and Watertown played three exhibition games at

15500-510: Was renamed to the LECOM Event Center. First Arena is mostly known for the Elmira Jackals ice hockey team that competed in the ECHL and the United Hockey League between 2000 and 2017. First Arena has also hosted many other sporting events such as basketball, X-treme Ice Racing, and pro wrestling from WWE and TNA Wrestling . In 2018, the minor professional Elmira Enforcers began play as

15625-427: Was then signed by Chemung County Court judge Peter Buckley, starting a "redemption period" that was to end February 29. During that period, Southern Tier Economic Development (STED), the arena's owner, could get the property back by paying the overdue tax balance plus a 10% penalty totaling $ 136,234. On March 12, the county legislature voted to table an attempt by STED to buy back the arena. The legislature also called for

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