ELMIRA, N.Y. -- First Arena has been a staple in the city of Elmira for nearly two decades.

"I was here for the first game 17 years ago back when we were in the UHL," said Elmira Jackals President Bob Thomas. "I remember what it was like day one, the anticipation of the doors opening."

But the city rejected an offer from Chemung County, asking to split the cost of a $1.5 million ice plant, putting its future on thin ice. That renovation is a key part of a potential sale.

While it's been a bit of a waiting game to find out what comes next, the Jackals organization is hoping for the best.

"It isn’t something I want to think about, not being here. Right now, everything is kind of in a state of flux," said Thomas. "You know we are planning on a season next season. And that’s all we can control."

The arena is not only home to the Jackals, but to their youth hockey program as well.

"We've got more than 200 kids. We have kids from five different counties in New York, two different counties in Pennsylvania," said youth coach and father Jake Burns. "It's a real family-oriented organization."

Burns says skating at First Arena and being affiliated with the Jackals is something the kids love.

"Once in a while, the Jackals do come and skate with us. And they all look up to them, so it’s a great opportunity for the kids,"said Burns.

He says it's something his players can't bear the thought of losing.

"I asked my daughter last night at dinner, and she began to cry at the thought the arena would be closing," he said. "I know there are other kids too that are on the same boat. It would be an absolute horror and tragedy if this was to happen."

And management says it's about more than just the Jackals organization. It's about what First Arena brings to the community.

"I know a lot of parents, myself included, we go to local restaurants for meals, we support local businesses," said Burns.

Beyond the financial impact, First Arena holds numerous events throughout the year, inlcuding Wine on Ice and the Twin Tiers Outdoor Expo.

"It’s a community facility from kids as young as 2-3 years old just learning how to skate, to adults coming in for non-hockey events," said Thomas. "So the building itself is vital to the community."

The youth organization says if the arena does go dark, it will look into other local rinks. And the Jackals organization says it remains under contract for another year.

There is no set timeline on when a decision will be made.