About The Facility

The First Arena is a 3,784-seat multi-purpose facility located in the heart of Elmira's downtown area. Addressed 155 N. Main St Elmira, NY 14901.   

The First Arena features: two ice surfaces (as depicted), 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 made its debut in 2000 as the Coach USA Center and later rebranded, changing names to the First Arena in 2004. It has been home to the Elmira Jackals from its opening until 2017, the Elmira Enforcers of the Federal Prospects Hockey League from 2018 to 2021. To current, 2022, a new team to be announced by new ownership. 

The arena's current naming rights are held by First Transit.

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, 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 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 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...

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