Downtown Utica and the Utica University NEXUS Center will be buzzing with activity later this week and weekend, as top caliber hockey invades the city.
Utica's Nexus Center is now officially the Utica University Nexus Center. The Aud Authority, Oneida County, and Utica University announced on Thursday that the university has secured the naming rights for the newly opened $64 million state of the art sports complex.
The Utica NEXUS Center's grand opening will be held on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. at the newly opened facility, according to Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente. NEXUS is a 1,200 seat venue for youth and junior hockey, soccer and Lacrosse tournaments. The feature rink of the facility will serve as the home ice for Utica University's Women's Hockey program, as well as home to Utica Comets' junior teams.
The new NEXUS sports complex in Utica will open to the public on Friday and new staff members will have to be ready to hit the ground running. Some 30 teams will be competing in a youth hockey tournament Friday through Sunday.
The Oneida County Legislature and County Executive Anthony Picente have taken a step toward restarting the downtown Nexus project, laying the groundwork for a deal to be struck with the Aud Authority.
''We need it finished. The contractor wants it finished. And, the county wants it finished. Everyone is looking for the same end result,'' Annese said.
Utica Comets and Mohawk Valley Garden President Rob Esche was on Keeler this past week discussing the importance of the NEXUS Center being built in downtown Utica, and why the project is deemed essential.