Curling at the 2023 FISU Winter Games in the newly renovated Saranac Lake Civic CenterAddress: 213 Ampersand Avenue
Year built: 1976
The Saranac Lake Civic Center is a covered skating rink located on Ampersand Avenue at the corner of John Munn Road. Planning for it started in 1965. It opened on January 14, 1977. It is home to the Saranac Lake Pee Wee Hockey Association, the Saranac Lake Placid high school hockey team and the Paul Smith’s College Bobcats men’s and women’s hockey teams. It also hosts curling, public skating and the occasional Can-Am tournament.
It was owned by the Pee Wee Hockey Association until January 10, 2022, in preparation for a seven million dollar renovation and expansion for use in the 2023 World University Games.
Off-season, it has other uses, notably hosting a dinner to celebrate the visit of then-President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, June 2, 1965
ARENA STUDY
The committee to study the feasibility of building an arena in Saranac Lake met last night m the village board rooms and will now be formally known as the Saranac Lake Civic Center Study Group. Gene Keough was named as Chairman and Mrs. Vivian Dupree was named secretary. Fraser Sturgeon, Robert Allen of Lake Placid and Phil Lalande were named as the building committee. The location committee is Phil Hyde, Village Trustee Howard N. Riley, George Stearns and Mr. Lalande and the Finance Committee consists of James Murray, Trustee William Gallagher, Mrs. Dupree, Mrs. Thelma Wood and Mr. Riley.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, September 18, 1973
Many facets to civic center study
SARANAC LAKE - At the Sept. 1l meeting of the Joint Feasibility Committee for Recreation and Civic Center, Ronald Keough, co-chairman of the committee with WilliamDoolittle, reported that a variety of recreation areas and civic center uses and facilities were being investigated by different committee members.
Mr. Keough said that he had completed mailing requests to 21 arena and civic centers and swimming pool facilities for all data related thereto.
He reported that Fraser Sturgeon is preparing a comprehensive study of recreational needs and activities of area youth, including groups, involved facilities and equipment [illegible] and available for other programs for youth and adults to prevent overlap in the facility presently being considered.
Ronald Delair is preparing a comprehensive study of area needs for the handicapped.
William Dolittle is compiling details on the NCCC pool while Richard Yorkey is looking into the fine points of the pool at such as the school, and then modified by need, use and cost, with a planned, progressive projection to meet future needs and incorporate those areas or facilities which would be Richard Yorkey is looking into the fine points of the pool at Champlain High School.
Phil LaLonde is involved checking out all the details of a new arena facility being constructed in Canada.
Mr. Keough noted further that it is the consensus of the group that a total evaluation of needs and possible use be done for a covered ice sheet, swimming pool, minimum convention facilities, youth groups, senior citizens, handicapped, and rehabilitation.
The committee feels that an evaluation of the cost of such a facility be prepared to meet all needs and uses, including the use of existing facilities such as the school,and then modified by need, use and cost, with a planned,progressive projection to meet future needs and incorporate those areas or facilities which would be financially impractical at this time.
The group felt that the facility should be built in a manner which would allow the addition of future facilities.
There is a general feeling that what ever is built should be built with a high value on long-term operational, maintenance and use costs.
As soon as sufficient material reports and/or commission guidelines are received, the committee will begin to formulate design, use, cost, etc. profiles for presentation to the Harrietstown and Saranac Lake Village boards.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, January 11, 1977
Facility is named ’civic center’
SARANAC LAKE—The Pee Wee Hockey Association, owners of the new skating facility on Ampersand Avenue, last night voted to name the new building, the Saranac Lake Civic Center.
The name was suggested by Chester Fobare, chairman of the building committee of the association, and a member of the village board.
Fobare said he believes that the "broadest possible use of the facility had been planned and that the money had been raised on the concept of broad use. He said that the name should reflect that intent.
The motion contained the provision that there be a memorial entrance way in the completed building dedicated to those in whose names so much of the private money to build the center had been contributed.
In that foyer it is planned to hang the portraits of Tim and Jeff Meineker and to place plaques and other acknowledgements of the in memoriam [sic] gifts.
Saranac Lake Civic Center before the 2022 renovations
Saranac Lake Civic Center during the 2023 FISU games.
