Saranac Lake Civic Center board members Mike Ritchie and Nancy Heath accept a $200,000 contribution from Stewart’s Shops District Manager Damian Kloss and Shop Manager Liz Marlow. (Provided photo)

SARANAC LAKE — Stewart’s Shops and the Dake Family recently donated $200,000 to help support the expansion and upgrades for the Saranac Lake Civic Center.

The civic center upgrades will include new ice equipment, a new entrance and lobby, new locker rooms, spectator seating, increased energy efficiency and new heating and air conditioning systems.

The project is partially funded by the state through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, but the civic center needs additional community funding to bring the project to fruition with a total capital campaign goal of $1.5 million. To date, more than $850,000 has been raised through community contributions.

The Winter World University Games is coming to Lake Placid in 2023. The games will be hosted officially in Lake Placid, but the surrounding communities will help with hosting competitive events. The Saranac Lake Civic Center will serve as the host site for the curling events for the Winter World University Games.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the Saranac Lake community to ensure a bright future for the Civic Center,” Saranac Lake Civic Center Project Director Peter Dimmig said.

“The new and improved Civic Center will be a hub for both Saranac Lake residents and visitors for many years to come,” said Susan Dake, Stewart’s Shops foundation president. “The timing for improvements couldn’t be better with the World University Games coming in 2023. Stewart’s Shops is a long-time supporter of Saranac Lake and surrounding areas. We believe in strengthening our communities and we are proud to support this project.”

To support the capital campaign, make checks payable to SLCC, P.O. Box 1040, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, or visit www.saranaclakeciviccenter.org to make a donation.