October 7 – Youth hockey in Buffalo continues to grow strong in a city that’s ranked as one of the top Hockey Cities in the country. Today, Mayor Byron W. Brown joined dignitaries on the ice, including Delaware District Council Member Joel Feroleto and skaters, to celebrate the completion of a new ice-making system at the North Buffalo’s Lafayette Ice Rink, the most critical component of an ice rink. The $1.5 million upgrade brings the Brown Administration’s total investment in the facility since 2006 to over $3.4 million.
“Youth hockey in our city is a growing game,” said Mayor Brown. “The ice-making system upgrade at the Lafayette Ice Rink will further improve the hockey experience for the growing demand of boys and girls who strap on their skates, and take to the ice. I’m pleased we’ve been able to provide so many new improvements to this valuable facility in North Buffalo, and I congratulate the Bison Hockey Organization for the outstanding job it has done operating this rink.”
The North Buffalo Bison Hockey Association, formed in 1959, manages the Lafayette Ice Rink and is currently made up of 400 dedicated families, who have volunteered to bring about long needed improvements at the rink.
In addition to the new ice-making system, other past improvements to the rink include: a new Zamboni, dasher boards, protective glass, locker room upgrades and a new scoreboard. City crews also installed new lighting units and reflective ceilings for increased visibility on ice surfaces.
“Hockey is not only who we are in Buffalo. It’s how we live,” said Mayor Brown. “As our economic revitalization continues in Buffalo, our City is also becoming a destination for players and the hockey world. With the new Sabres season now underway, with the opening of HarborCenter and its popularity among hockey fans, and with strong youth hockey programs citywide, we continue to improve the quality of life for all of our residents, while attracting increased investment and job growth.”
For the second straight year and fourth time in 10 seasons, the Sabres will get their home schedule started with the Montreal Canadiens. Buffalo will host Montreal at 7 p.m. on October 5, 2017.