Reach Beyond - The Campaign for Onondaga Community College - Goals of the Campaign

The Onondaga Arena and Sports Complex

Onondaga’s new arena and sports complex will provide vital athletic and recreation space needed for our exceptionally active Central New York community while offering—for the first time—a home field and support facilities to showcase the athletic prowess of the College’s stellar intercollegiate men’s and women’s sports teams, including the 2008 national champion men’s tennis team and the 2006 and 2007 national champion men’s lacrosse team.

This new physical space will serve as an anchor for residential life and general student life programming, offering all students the full spectrum of fitness, wellness, and intramural sports activities routinely offered at other residential campuses. Research supports the notion that the social connection that facilities like the Arena foster in students spills over to other areas of growth and development, and ultimately leads to better academic success.

In addition to fully supporting the recreational needs of residential and commuter students, the community’s college complex will also serve as a magnet attracting local area high school athletes, competing college teams, and other outside organizations to host a variety of events in our community.

Program Features

• 59,000 square foot Arena with flexible seating for audiences ranging from 1,000 to 7,000
• Indoor track with multiple lanes for competition
• Basketball courts
• Capacity for various stage, sound, and lighting configurations
• Locker rooms, box office, concession areas, offices, press box; and other support areas. 
• Funding to supplement equipment, post-season travel and other costs for athletic teams, and recreational and cultural programs.

Benefit to Students

• Strengthen student life programming by expanding on-campus opportunities for competitive and recreational sports, performing arts and cultural programs.
• Enhance the College’s overall efforts in recruitment, enrollment and retention.
• Better support academic programs focused on health, recreation, and wellness.

Benefit to the Community

• Increased capacity to attract arts, cultural, and sporting events to the region.
• Expanded support for public safety/ additional evacuation site capacity.
• Contribute to the economic vitality of the Central New York region with the ability to host regional and state athletic events, conferences and performances.

Investment: $500,000