Valesky, Miner, Magnarelli Announce Funding to Repair Meachem Ice Rink

Senator, Assemblyman Answer Mayor’s Call to Find $460,000 in State Capital Funding for New Ice Surface at Meachem Rink

SYRACUSE, N.Y. –State Senator David J. Valesky, Mayor Stephanie A. Miner, and Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli, standing in the center of the Meachem ice rink, announced $460,000 in state funding coming to the City of Syracuse to pay for a replacement of the existing rink with an ice mat. Senator Valesky secured $350,000. An additional $110,000 was received through Assemblyman Magnarelli. The Meachem ice rink closed earlier this year due to malfunctions in the ice cooling system, including pipe corrosion.

"I heard first hand from elected officials, parents, hockey league organizers and skaters just how important the Meachem rink is to those who call it their home ice," said Senator David J. Valesky (D-Oneida). "I am very pleased to be able to help direct state capital funds to re-open this great asset, and I look forward to seeing a new and improved facility available to the thousands of Syracusans who use it each year."

“Meachem Rink is an important asset to the entire Syracuse community. From the teams who call it home to the countless skaters who visit each winter, Meachem is a treasure for the Valley neighborhood,” said Syracuse Mayor Stephanie A. Miner. “I appreciate the work of Senator Valesky and Assemblyman Magnarelli in securing these capital funds for this important project. This money will enable us to bring this rink back into operation for the use of another generation of Syracuse residents.”

“Meachem ice rink, for many years, has provided the greater Syracuse ice hockey community a place to practice, compete and participate in an exciting sport that is important to our area,” said Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli. “I am pleased that I was able to secure grant funding to keep this facility open and available to our youth and the community at large.”

“The Meachem rink has been a valuable asset to the community and we look forward to keeping kids and adults skating there,” said Third District Common Councilor Bob Dougherty, who represents the Meachem rink and the Valley neighborhood.

The funding will go to purchase an ice mat, which will form a rink when laid on a concrete floor. The refrigerant runs through the mat chilling when water is put on top of the sheet.  The money will also purchase compressors which feed refrigerant through the mat and dehumidifiers for the rink.

Money for this project will be reimbursed to the City from New York State capital funds. It is expected the rink will be reopened in time for the beginning of the next hockey season in October.

Meachem ice rink was opened in 1973 on a site where Valley area neighbors had erected a makeshift ice rink for several years. The building is home to Valley Youth Hockey, the City of Syracuse Learn to Skate program, the Corcoran High School hockey team. It is also occasionally used as a practice facility for the Syracuse Crunch. With nearly 24,000 visitors last year, Meachem was the most used skating rink in the City of Syracuse.