Stafford renovations approaching completion

Gone are the old, hard, ugly, wooden bleachers. In are the new red, plastic, individual theatre-style seats. The Stafford Ice Arena renovation is now almost complete and ready for Cardinal hockey.

"It's going along real well right now," Fieldhouse Director Mark Christiansen said. "They are hoping to have it done for Oct. 1."

There is some thought the rink itself may be ready a little earlier, which Christiansen said is good because it is a lengthy process to have the rink ready for use. With hockey just around the corner, the more time to get the rink ready, the better.

The construction did not come without some sacrifices, however.

The arena used to hold about 4,000 people with the bleacher-style seating, but with the new individual theatre-style seating, that has been reduced to only 1,512.

The 1,512 seats do include handicap seats. In various locations along the top row, special removable seats have been installed to accommodate wheelchairs.

"It's a lot more handicap accessible now," Christiansen said.

Along side each wheelchair space there are companion seats, which Athletic Director Bruce Delventhal said will be sold in conjunction with the handicap spaces.

The arena has undergone almost a complete make-over. All that is left from before renovation started is the snack bar and the middle section of the press box, which has been extended in both directions. The platform on the players' side was not up to code, so it was taken down. The ceiling has been repainted and new lights and dasher boards have been installed.

There are now two rows of seats off the end of the balcony where fans first enter the rink, giving a full view of the Plattsburgh net for two periods.

Even the rail positions were upgraded.

"The rail spaces are going to be very nice if you like to stand," Christiansen said.

The 108 spaces are still just behind the seats, but now there is a long bar-like counter with cup holders every 18 inches.

Even with the decrease in seating capacity, students will still have a chance to get their free tickets.

Because the average student attendance is 400, that is how many tickets per game will be set aside.

However, because the ticket situation is new to everyone, Delventhal said there is room for adjustment. For example, the games against Oswego will probably have more student tickets set aside because of the traditionally higher attendance.

Should students miss out on the free ticket, they can still purchase a general admission ticket or rail position, which will remain $4 for all regular season games, except for Oswego which is $7.

A season ticket for the general public is $110. A student price has yet to be determined.

Ticket pick-up is going to change though. As of publication time this procedure was still under discussion.

October 4, there will be an Open House purchase day for people who are interested in buying season tickets.

Because each person will have a ticket to a specific seat, allowing people a chance to test the view from various locations is a must.

Of the 16 sections, three will be student reserved sections. All three will be on the far end (snack bar end) of the rink.

Two sections will be on the penalty box side, the other on the bench side - sandwiching the opposition's net for two periods.

Delventhal stressed student funds did not pay for the renovations.

"This is all out of Albany," he said.

The state had declared the bleachers unfit and therefore the school was given money to either fix them or renovate.

The budget for design and construction is just under $2.4 million. Capital Program Coordinator Linda Sichel said a final bill would not be available until the end of the month, but the school is well within the budget.

Construction will continue for a few more weeks.

"By the time we're done," Delventhal said, "We won't have to take a back seat to anybody."