There may be a new state of the art entertainment Arena in the future for Niagara Falls, at least that’s what is being considered by Niagara Falls Redevelopment, led by Partner Roger Trevino. The concept is a Niagara Falls Arena facility

Roger Trevino
NFR Partner

that could seat between six and eight thousand people and serve both entertainment and sporting events. The Niagara Falls Arena would be located on the 142 acres owned by Niagara Falls Redevelopment east of the Seneca Niagara Casino, possibly adjacent to the old Nabisco plant at the corner of Buffalo Avenue and John Daly Boulevard.

“We are, very much, in the preliminary planning stages as we meet with the stakeholders to get their input and we are finding there is a lot of agreement and support for this kind of project,” said Roger Trevino of NFR. “However, since we are at such an early stage, in which we are sharing ideas, at this time, it’s best to focus on furthering the process.”

Niagara Falls Arena Endorsed by NFCC

Despite the fact the project is in the preliminary stages, it has been endorsed by the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation. John Percy, President and CEO of NFCC wrote a letter to Trevino endorsing the concept of a Niagara Falls Arena and it was also signed by Frank Strangio, NFCC Chairman of the Board.

The letter reads ” As the official Destination Marketing Organization for Niagara Falls and Niagara County, we are interested in Niagara Falls Redevelopment‘s efforts in exploring the potential development of an approximate 8,000 seat multipurpose facility in Niagara Falls, New York.”

“We believe that broadening the scope and utility of tourism assets in downtown Niagara falls is an important ingredient in the future success of tourism.”

“One of our strategic initiatives is to expand the tourism season in our destination. A multipurpose arena may better position the tourism and hospitality industry for greater success in the off season. Developing a venue to accommodate events and a variety of complementary entertainment options could stimulate economic growth for the greater Niagara Falls area stakeholders and the region.”

“As the chief sales and marketing organization and one of the key players generating economic growth, the Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation supports this concept and encourages Niagara Falls Redevelopment to take the next steps of further discussion and research of this project.”

Niagara Falls International Convention Center

In 1974 Niagara Falls completed construction of a downtown multi-use Convention Center with hopes that it would be the focal point of a new era in the history of the famous tourist town. That building still stands today, but as part of the Seneca Niagara Casino.Ironically, Trevino, who was once Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly‘s sports agent and managed his own sports entertainment marketing firm, served as the Contract Administrator of the former Niagara Falls Convention Center before it became part of the Seneca Casino complex.

The Niagara Falls Convention Center served it’s purpose over the years hosting such stars as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, The Grateful Dead, Andy Williams, Perry Como, John Denver and was home to the Miss USA Pagent from 1974 to 76′. The Convention Center served as the anchor location for the Festival of Lights from 1980 to 2003 and hundreds of state and national conventions over it’s history.

As a sports facility the building was the home of Niagara University basketball, the ABC National Bowling Tournament in 1983 & 87′, WWF wrestling, monster truck shows, BMX bike racing, Joe Mesi boxing events and Section Six basketball tournaments.

The Falls Convention Center served as a year round destination in downtown Niagara Falls and many feel the City is still lacking the critical mass of attractions to fill the eight months of the year when the Summer tourist season is over. A Niagara Falls Arena for both sports and entertainment could be that focal point combined with the hotels and developments planned by the Hamister Group, Uniland, Stinson and Patel.

Wonder Falls Replacing Rainbow Centre

The Wonder Falls Resort will replace the remaining two-thirds of the vacant Rainbow Centre in Niagara Falls New York according to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Uniland Development has been chosen as the preferred developer to transform the former Rainbow Centre mall in Niagara Falls into a major mixed-use complex.

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on his visit to Niagara Falls State Park on August 8th that Uniland Development will lead a $150 million public-private partnership to build what’s being called the Wonder Falls Resort. The complex will include a hotel, restaurants, and entertainment facilities, including an indoor water park.

Cuomo says the project, which is supported by “Buffalo Billion” funding, continues the region’s recent momentum.

“There has been a comprehensive strategy and you feel it building on itself. [There has been] a lot of work done here in Niagara Falls, a lot of work done in Buffalo, a lot of work done all through Western New York, and it’s cumulative. The pieces build on each other. The energy builds on each other,” Cuomo said.

Cuomo says the project will support around 1,500 construction jobs and create 300 on-site jobs once it’s complete.

Uniland Development Vice President Michael Montante says the new resort will compliment the history of the Falls, including a Daredevil Event Center.

“We also want to include an area that will promote all of Niagara Falls. So when a visitor comes to Wonder Falls, [whether] they’re staying at the hotel or not, that’s an area where they can go and really understand exactly what there is to do. We want this to to be the hub of branching out and taking of advantage of all that Niagara Falls has to offer,” said Montante.

Montante says it could be a year before work on the project gets underway.

The Rainbow mall had been vacant for more than a decade until Niagara County Community College’s Culinary Institute opened in 2012, and occupies one third of the former Rainbow Centre.