First Arena has a new owner, but Elmira Jackals will fold

The First Arena has a new owner, but this will be the final season for the Elmira Jackals. Chemung County officials made the bittersweet announcement Friday that the arena will continue to be in operation under the direction of new owner Brian Barrett, but the Jackals won’t be part of the future. The part owner of Simmons-Rockwell is purchasing the arena from the county for $3.5 million. He plans to renovate the building and continue to hold non-hockey events. The First Arena opened in downtown Elmira in 2000.