Glens Falls

The Glens Falls Civic Center will receive a $2 million capital improvement grant from New York state for what economic development officials described as a "major makeover" that will make it more competitive with other venues in attracting shows and events.

The announcement was made Tuesday by Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul during a visit to the civic center. The money, which supplements an earlier state grant for $700,000, can be applied toward a new scoreboard, improvements to the locker area, new chairs for floor seating and other projects within the building.

The earlier grant was used for a new outdoor marquee, LED lighting, Wi-Fi, and for an upgrade to the sound system that will begin shortly, according to the Warren County Economic Development Corp.

State Sen. Betty Little also secured additional funding for painting the arena's steel beams.

The new funding "will significantly change the landscape and improve the ability for this center to compete for shows and events," said Ed Bartholomew, the EDC president. "These improvements will showcase our center in time for next year's ECHL All Star game in January 2017."

Bartholomew was Glens Falls' mayor when the building opened in 1979.