The possibility of a professional outdoor hockey game in the Mohawk Valley took a considerable step Thursday.

The Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council was awarded $82.7 million for 81 economic development projects, state officials announced Thursday.

Among those projects is a proposal for the Mohawk Valley Garden group to hold a "Winter Festival Sporting Event" as part of the 25th anniversary of Romes Griffiss Business and Technology Park and the grand opening of the Nexus Center in downtown Utica, according to the awards listing.

In development on Whitesboro Street next to the Adirondack Bank Center, the Nexus Center is touted as a tournament-based recreation facility primarily for hockey, box lacrosse and soccer.

The "Winter Festival Sporting Event" project was awarded $345,000. The listing mentions the event would include a "Utica Comets (American Hockey League) outdoor game, an NCAA Division III game featuring Utica College, a (Major Arena Soccer League) match featuring Utica City FC, and other local and regional competitions."

No further details, including dates for the possible events, were announced.

Rome Mayor Jacqueline Izzo said that the bulk of the $345,000 would be used for an outdoor game at the Griffiss Business Park. The money would fund a portable rink and seating areas, with everything set up near one of the hangars, Izzo said. She referred to this as retrofitting the area for the game.

"It sounds like a really exciting event for the community," Izzo said. "Outdoor hockey events are the rage right now."

Rob Esche, president of Mohawk Valley Garden, could not be reached for comment Thursday. Mohawk Valley Garden is an overall organization that manages the Utica Comets and Utica City FC, among others.

Esche told the Observer-Dispatch in 2017 that he was looking to have an outdoor game in the Utica area, but noted there were challenges in finding a suitable venue. He said at the time he had spoken with Syracuse Crunch owner Howard Dolgon about being included in an outdoor game, but those plans didnt come to fruition.

"We would love to compete on that type of stage," Esche said in January 2017. "I think it would be a great experience. Im all for building the sport in Central New York and building the sport as a whole. ..."

AHL Vice President of Communications Jason Chaimovitch said the scheduling process hasnt started yet for the 2020-21 season. That process usually starts early in the year, he said. The AHL would work with the Comets for the possible game, he said.

"We would help in making sure it gets scheduled," Chaimovitch said. "It is not on our radar, yet."

There have been 10 outdoor games in the AHLs history. Most notably, the Syracuse Crunch put on an outdoor game in 2010 at the New York State Fairgrounds. The Rochester Americans also played at Frontier Field in 2013.

Utica College Athletic Director Dave Fontaine and mens hockey coach Gary Heenan said they didnt have any details surrounding the schools possible involvement.

Notably, UC was included as part of the Frozen Dome Classic in 2014 when the Comets and Crunch played in Syracuse.

Contact reporter Ben Birnell at 315-792-5032 or follow him on Twitter @OD_Birnell.

Observer-Dispatch reporter Edward Harris contributed to this story.

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