Upstate Ice Plex, Inc.

Upstate Ice Plex is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based at 18 East Fulton Street in Gloversville that is working to build a multi-use ice complex for Fulton and Montgomery counties, where the nearest rinks are more than 80 miles apart to the east and west. Plans call for ice hockey, figure skating, curling and sled hockey along with indoor soccer, lacrosse, a fitness center and event space.

The idea dates to 1997, when Mary Cleland proposed a rink near Caroga Lake under the name Wilderness Inc. She passed her documents to Timothy Rizzo in 2017, and in 2021 he submitted a new proposal that was short-listed for federal funding with support from both Rep. Elise Stefanik and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.

What to know

• Supporters listed include the cities of Gloversville and Johnstown, four school districts, the Fulton Montgomery Chamber and the Lexington Foundation.
• The complex is also planned to host concerts, car and craft shows and conferences.
• Concept plans are posted on the organization’s website.
• The original 1990s effort collapsed around 2000, which the organization notes led to the creation of a local search and rescue team.