SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Crunch might be playing its home games in a brand-new venue in the city in the future.
Team Owner Howard Dolgon teased that the Crunch could have a new, “state-of-the-art” arena on Wednesday. Dolgon did not go into specific details about the potential new arena but said that he believes the stars are “beginning to align.”
He said that, if a new arena is built, it could attract a “wide range of world-class sporting and entertainment” events.
Dolgon’s message comes just nearly a week after the team announced a four-year extension with its NHL affiliate, the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Crunch will be affiliated with the Lightning through the 2029-2030 Season.
The Crunch currently plays its home games in the Oncenter War Memorial Arena on Montgomery Street in Syracuse. The venue was built in 1951. It has 7,000 seats.
In the mid-2010s, former County Executive Joanie Mahoney proposed a new, 44,000-seat stadium that would be built near Syracuse University. The idea was scrapped by then-Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner, who was concerned over how construction would affect the neighborhood.
Yet, a CNY Central poll published on May 12 revealed that a slim majority of people would support the construction of a new arena in Syracuse. CNY Central asked, “Would you support a new arena in Syracuse?” 54% of people voted “yes.” 46% of people voted “no.” 1205 people voted in total.
One hundred and four players have played with the Crunch and the Lightning in a single season since their mutual affiliation in 2012. The Crunch have a total of eight Calder Cup Playoff series wins, including two Calder Cup Finals berths.
The Crunch have qualified for the postseason in 10 out of 12 seasons that the playoffs have been affiliated with the Lightning.
The team begins its 33rd season on the road on Oct. 2.