The Syracuse Crunch (AHL) will remain at the War Memorial Arena through the 2029-30 season, thanks to a recently announced 12-year lease extension.
The Crunch have played at the War Memorial Arena since 1994, and have just started their 25th season of operation. Although the American Hockey League club had six years remaining on its existing lease, it has committed to an extension that will result in it remaining at the facility until 2030.
War Memorial Arena has been receiving improvements, with many of those upgrades aimed at updating the facility’s fan amenities. Aside from providing a boost to the fan experience at the arena, the commitment to those improvements was a major factor in the Crunch’s decision to move forward with a lease extension. More from Syracuse.com:
The Crunch had six years remaining on its current lease but Syracuse owner Howard Dolgon said in light of Onondaga County’s commitment to $8.5 million in improvements in the building an extension was important to both him and the county.
“It’s a great moment for us. We’ve talked for a long time about the renovations needed in the building. It’s wonderful that the (legislature) stepped up,” said Syracuse owner Howard Dolgon. “It proves that when you come together as a community, good things happen.”
The Crunch is in its 25th year of operation and boasts the longest independent ownership group, led by Dolgon. The Crunch has the fourth-longest current tenure of any American Hockey League team.
“The SMG management team at the Onondaga War Memorial are thrilled to execute a long-term lease agreement with Syracuse Crunch,” SMG general manager Matt Hollander said in a statement. “Today’s lease signing ensures that professional hockey will continue to enhance the quality of life for Onondaga County residents for many years to come.”
The lease extension was announced on Friday by the Crunch, in partnership Onondaga County and War Memorial Arena manager SMG.
