SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (WRGB) — Schenectady’s newest event center is preparing for its debut this weekend, promising to bring more than just hockey to Mohawk Harbor.
The M&T Bank Center, a $55 million project completed in just over a year, is the new home ice for Union College men’s and women’s hockey. But the arena was built with versatility in mind.
“This fits a niche,” said David Buicko, CEO of the Galesi Group, which manages the center. “For concerts we can do around 3,500. For hockey we’re around 2,300.”
Buicko said the center is part of a larger plan to make Mohawk Harbor a destination, pointing to the surrounding hotels, casino, apartments, townhouses, amphitheater and office buildings. “We’re creating a little community here that can really attract shows or conferences,” he said.
On Saturday, the facility will host its first public event, a concert headlined by country music star Lee Brice with David J, a Rotterdam native, opening the show.
Crews will transform the ice rink into a stage and concert venue by laying down insulated flooring, setting up staging that can be scaled to size, and reconfiguring seating. Buicko said the conversion can be completed in less than a day.
In addition to hockey and concerts, Buicko said other events are in the works, including comedy and trade shows.
“Aside from hockey and other sporting events that you could have here, there are things we’re negotiating right now—names you would know, but I don’t have signed contracts on them yet,” he said.
“So we’re going to have comedians. We’re talking to possibly some psychics,” he added.
For Buicko, the event center’s impact is more than just what happens inside. He hopes the center will help energize downtown Schenectady and solidify Mohawk Harbor as a regional attraction.
“The opening of everything adds to creating a destination resort-type of feel,” he said.
Tickets for the concert are on sale now. You can purchase online at www.mandtbankcenter.com or at the box office on Saturday. Parking is free.