ELMIRA, NY (WENY) -- The LECOM Event Center in downtown Elmira will now be under new ownership, as the Chemung County Industrial Development announced Thursday a familiar face to the organization will be taking over the reigns of the facility.

Tracey and Marc Stemerman, the owners of the Elmira Aviators Organization, will assume ownership of the arena facility. According to LECOM Event Center officials, the Stemermans will begin daily operations during a 90-day operational phase, after which the IDA will complete the final sale of the building.

The Chemung County IDA currently owns the facility, and is operated by the Chemung County Capital Resource Corporation (CCCRC). The Elmira Aviators of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) debuted for their first season in 2024, as part of a five-year agreement with the IDA. The team is owned by Marc and Tracey Stemerman.

The Elmira Aviators Organization also announced that the Binghamton Buzz, a North American Tier III Hockey League (NA3HL) team will relocate to Elmira, and rebrand as the Buzz. The Aviators also announced the expansion of its player development program, launching U-18 and U-16 Academies. About 125 student athletes will live at Elmira College, and 30 to 40 will attend school at Notre Dame High School, according to the organization. More than 250 players are now part of the Junior Aviators program

IDA officials touted the agreement, and the investment into the community and local economy.

"The local economic impact is significant. Based on national spending averages for youth and travel hockey, it’s estimated that out-of-town families spend between $500–$1,000 per trip on lodging, dining, gas, and entertainment, according to estimates from the Chemung County Chamber of Commerce," said IDA Chairman Mark Margeson.

“With over 70 games scheduled across four teams and hundreds of visiting families expected throughout the season, this could result in an estimated economic impact of $1.5 to $2 million or more over the year,” said Chemung County Chamber of Commerce President, Jennifer Herrick.

The change in ownership is the newest chapter for the embattled facility, which is skating forward after several tumultuous years, changes in facility ownership, management, a revolving door of hockey teams, aging infrastructure and public sparring between the Chemung County IDA and County Executive over arena finances and operations.

In July of 2024, the now former First Arena, which it had been named since 2003, became the LECOM Event Center as part of a five-year deal with the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), at a cost of roughly $500,000.

The arena was originally named the Coach USA Center, when it opened in the year 2000.