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41-706: On July 17, 2018, Robbie Nichols announced he had acquired an expansion team in Elmira, New York , one year after the Elmira Jackals had ceased operations. On August 2, Nichols revealed the team name as the Enforcers and introduced the team's inaugural head coach as Brent Clarke, who had previously been the head coach of the Danville Dashers and Watertown Wolves . The Enforcers played their first game October 26, 2018, and played their first six games on

82-706: A 30-member board to oversee 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

123-501: 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

164-716: A group headed by Tom Freeman, president of First Air in Big Flats, had been named as 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),

205-604: A lease extension in time. The Enforcers were then forced to go dormant for the 2021–22 season citing lack of communication from the county. Robbie Nichols (ice hockey) Too Many Requests If you report this error to the Wikimedia System Administrators, please include the details below. Request from 172.68.168.133 via cp1102 cp1102, Varnish XID 550047618 Upstream caches: cp1102 int Error: 429, Too Many Requests at Thu, 28 Nov 2024 05:35:06 GMT First Arena The LECOM Event Center

246-470: A linesman. Mahfouz then broke his stick over the goalpost and tossed it over the glass into the stands before leaving the ice. Finally, 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

287-556: A man to the hospital, although the charges would later be dropped. On March 10, 2019, owner Nichols assaulted a referee as the official was coming off the ice following 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 to resign and pull all referees from the FHL citing the need to protect his personnel. Nichols

328-493: 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

369-456: 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

410-493: 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 the First Arena in 2004. It has been home to

451-472: 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 the city's $ 11.6 million proposed arena. By September,

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492-680: 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 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

533-409: 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

574-407: The 4:30 p.m. deadline passed to pay $ 123,849 in overdue taxes and a foreclosure order 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,

615-577: 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,

656-416: 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

697-709: 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

738-414: The Jackals. He became the arena's eighth general manager in less than six years and its fourth manager in 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,

779-593: 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 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

820-536: 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

861-532: 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 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

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902-468: 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

943-507: 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 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

984-408: 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

1025-445: 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 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

1066-477: 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

1107-641: 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 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

1148-422: The county legislature voted to table an attempt by STED to buy back the arena. The legislature also called for 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

1189-616: The entire 16-game February series between the two teams to be cancelled. The 2020–21 season then began on February 19 consisting of Elmira and three other teams: the Carolina Thunderbirds, Columbus River Dragons , and Port Huron Prowlers , with Carolina playing all games on the road. The league announced an end-of-season tournament, but it would instead be called the Ignite Cup and not the Commissioner's Cup due to

1230-430: 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,

1271-480: The first game in Carolina 7–3. Game two went to overtime and the game-winning goal was scored by landing on the back of the outstretched Enforcers' goaltender Troy Passingham and fell across the goal line when he went to get back 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

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1312-567: 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 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,

1353-578: The league: Mahfouz for one game, Passingham for two, and Clarke for five games. The Enforcers then won the next game at home 7–2 with former Elmira Jackals ' player Nick Niedert in goal, but lost the championship in an overtime loss in game four. During the December 27, 2019, game against the Danbury Hat Tricks , due to a rash of injuries, owner Robbie Nichols was forced to suit up as an emergency player. He played two periods before sitting out

1394-482: The only two teams to start the season on February 3, 2021. The two teams played three exhibition games at the end of January before heading to Watertown for the start of their Summit Series. 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 altercation led to

1435-488: The road with a 2–4 record. On November 16, the team played their first home game and set a league record with 4,310 announced attendance, beating the previous record set by the Williamsport Outlaws in 2012 of 3,447. The team continued to set single-season FHL attendance records, but also saw its share of controversies. On December 17, 2018, several Enforcers were arrested after getting into a bar fight, sending

1476-606: The third due to exhaustion; Nichols, 55 years old at the time, had not played competitive hockey since 1998. Following the COVID-19 pandemic curtailed 2019–20 season, head coach Clarke returned to the Watertown Wolves as coach. The Enforcers then named Ahmed Mahfouz as player/coach for the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season. With the ongoing restrictions amidst the pandemic, the FPHL announced that Elmira and Watertown would be

1517-452: The unusual season format. The Ignite Cup consists of a five-game series between the top two teams that had played at least 16 regular season games. Elmira finished the regular season in second place, qualifying to face the top-seeded Columbus River Dragons in the Ignite Cup where they lost three-games-to-none. In July 2021, the county took over operations of First Arena again when the county and Nichols' ownership group CAN-USA failed to reach

1558-407: 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

1599-492: 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

1640-408: Was issued the league-maximum fine of $ 25,000. The team, or someone using the Enforcers' name, posted a GoFundMe fundraiser for the fine, but was pulled down in about an hour. The team continued its inaugural season and finished second overall at the end of the regular season. They swept the third place Watertown Wolves in two game to set up a championship series against Carolina. The Enforcers lost

1681-523: 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

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