NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. -- The final phase of renovations to the Niagara Falls Ice Pavilion is on hold for now. Monday night, the Falls City Council voted down a resolution that would finance $3.1 million to finish renovations at the two-rink facility.
About $6 million has already been put into the Ice Pavilion to improve locker rooms and the lobby area, but the final phase of the project would improve the rinks and ice surfaces.
Opponents of the plan prefer the improvements be paid for with casino revenue rather than bonds. Those in favor said the rinks provide a major financial boost to the area.
"It's a crucial, crucial part of the economic well-being of the city in the winter, when there's not much going on," said Mike Carella, of Niagara Sports Tournaments. "We're filling hotel rooms that would never be filled on off weekends in the middle of January and February."
Leaders say the Ice Pavilion holds about 10 tournaments every year and brings in about 400 teams from out of town.