The Utica University Nexus Center is a 169,440 square foot facility conveniently located off the New York State Thruway in Utica, NY. Opened in November of 2022, the Nexus Center features state of the art amenities to make it a tournament destination.
The Utica University Nexus Center features three multipurpose 200ft. x 85ft. playing surfaces that can be utilized as ice sheets or turf. The Utica University Nexus Center is connected by a walkway to the historic Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium, bringing the total up to four surfaces for sports tournaments.
The Mastrovito Hyundai Rink at the Utica University Nexus Center is home to Utica University Women’s hockey team, the Utica Jr. Comets’ Junior teams, and the Utica Yeti. This 1,200 seat venue includes several luxury boxes overlooking the ice surface.
The Nexus Center project was officially announced by Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. on May 16, 2017 as part of his U-District vision for downtown Utica.
It was envisioned by Oneida County and its partners at the Upper Mohawk Valley Auditorium Authority and Mohawk Valley Garden as a complement to the multi-million dollar county and state investments to renovate the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium, and as a means to drive more visitors and tourism dollars to the area through youth sports tournament play.
Oneida County and the UMVAA committed $32 million in bonding for the Nexus Center, with the county directly adding another $15 million to the project, along with $22 million from New York State. The result is a magnificent $64 million facility that will attract more than 320,000 annual visitors who are expected to spend over $26 million in area businesses.
