LYSANDER, N.Y. (NCC News) — A sudden spike in electricity costs has put the future of the Three Rivers Athletic Complex in Baldwinsville at risk, leaving families and youth athletes scrambling to keep the rink from shutting down on April 1.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Danny Erb:
For more than 35 years, the Three Rivers Athletic Complex has been a constant in Baldwinsville — a rink where generations of kids learned to skate, parents volunteered, and local teams called home. But now, that history is facing a deadline the community didn’t expect.
Tiffany Wallen:
“Our rink, right now, located in Baldwinsville, is potentially being shut down on April 1 — and the reason being is because of the rising costs of National Grid.”
Erb:
A spike in electricity costs this winter pushed the nonprofit behind on its payments. If the balance isn’t paid by April 1, the rink’s power gets shut off — leaving more than 500 young athletes without their home ice.
Wallen:
“The rink means a lot. It means a lot to the families. It means a lot to the kids. It’s a place where their friends are. It’s more than just a sport to them. It’s a place of community.”
Erb:
Rinks like these are usually full of noise — families, teams, skaters. But when a place is at risk of shutting down, that noise starts to fade. And here in Lysander, they’re fighting to keep these stands from going silent.
Coaches say losing the rink won’t just mean losing ice time — it’ll break apart friendships kids have built here for years.
Coach Adam Hildreth:
“Even at my age, most of my friends are still kids I played hockey with. So seeing the friendships they’re making now, and how that will grow with them throughout their life… now they’ll probably all have to spread out, go different areas.”
Erb:
And for local kids, hearing that the rink might shut down brought an emotional reaction.
Rutledge:
“I was really kind of sad… because that meant, one, my hockey career was over, kind of — and two, that meant I couldn’t be here with my friends and stuff.”
Erb:
And others had a more straightforward approach — especially when it comes to asking for help.
Brady McDonald:
“Please donate money to our rink so we can keep it alive.”
Erb:
The rink says every donation — whether it’s through Raise365, Venmo, or bottle returns — brings them one step closer to keeping this community together.
Reporting in Lysander, I’m Danny Erb, NCC News.
The nonprofit that operates the rink says National Grid bills have increased from roughly $14,000 to more than $21,000 per month, causing the organization to fall behind on payments.
“The rink means a lot. It means a lot to the families. It means a lot to the kids,” volunteer Tiffany Wallen said. “It’s more than just a sport to them. It’s a place of community.”
A community hub for more than 35 years
The rink has served local hockey and figure skating programs for more than three decades. More than 500 athletes — including Youth Hockey, Syracuse Figure Skating, and the Baldwinsville varsity team — use the facility throughout the season.
Wallen said losing the rink would break up a community that has grown up together.
“This is a community,” she said. “This is where a lot of families get together… this is where we want to play.”
Young hockey players huddle around their coach during practice at the Three Rivers Athletic Complex in Baldwinsville. The rink hosts more than 500 local athletes each season. Photo by Danny Erb © NCC News
Coaches fear players will be forced to scatter
Coaches say the closure would push families to search for ice time across Central New York, where rinks are already in short supply.
“Seeing the friendships they’re making now… it’s sad because now they’ll probably all have to spread out,” eight and under coach Adam Hildreth said.
Hildreth said many players may have to travel long distances or leave the sport entirely if the rink shuts down.
For the kids, the loss feels personal
Younger players say the rink is part of their daily life — and the thought of losing it has been difficult.
“I was really kind of sad,” youth player Rutledge Horn said. “That meant my hockey career was over, kind of… and I couldn’t be here with my friends.”
Another player, Brady McDonald, delivered a more direct plea.
“Please donate money to our rink so we could keep it alive,” he said.
How the community is trying to help
To avoid a shutdown, the nonprofit launched several fundraising efforts, including:
- Raise365 online donations
- Venmo contributions to Lysander Hockey
- Bottle and can returns at the Baldwinsville redemption center
- Local business partnerships
- A vendor fair on March 7
The organization says every contribution helps cover back-dated electricity costs and keeps the facility open while long-term solutions are discussed.
What’s next
If the outstanding National Grid balance is not paid by April 1, the power to the facility could be shut off, ending the season for hundreds of athletes.
The rink says donations — regardless of size — move them closer to keeping the building open while long-term solutions are discussed.
“This rink means a lot to the families and the kids,” Wallen said. “It’s more than just a sport — it’s a place of community.”