The Buffalo RiverWorks is less than a month away from hosting the best Masters players from the World over, each part of a team looking to take home the Gold Medal. Let’s take a look at this world class venue located in the heart of Buffalo, NY.
“A Beer Garden Like No Other”
Built from the concrete ruins of a former grain elevator, the RiverWorks beer garden resembles a Buffalo-style Stonehenge and is adorned with firepits and quirky water features. On a warm, sunny day you’ll find hundreds of visitors downing a cold beverage in colorful Adirondack chairs, while enjoying views of downtown and the action on the Buffalo River. Some days, the aroma of freshly baked Cheerios will waft over from the nearby General Mills factory. (courtesy visitbuffaloniagara.com)
Image Courtesy Joe Cascio, Visitbuffaloniagara.com The Buffalo RiverWorks lines the Buffalo River, once lined nearly every square foot with silos, grain elevators, and warehouses, all testaments to the booming industry that helped the city grow into one of the Northeast’s most famous cities. The river was navigated with vessels shipping a variety of products, from grain to chemicals to steel. In modern times, cereal powerhouse General Mills still uses the grain elevators in this area to store materials used in the nearby factory, where the smell of Cheerios emanates.
Over time, industries moved away and the area became stagnant with only a handful of companies remaining along the river. In the early 2010s, a group of entrepreneurs saw the potential of this amazing land located next to a beautiful River. The RiverWorks project was born and first went live in 2014. Construction and improvements have been ongoing since its inception.
“Two rinks for hockey and events“
RiverWorks‘ two outdoor ice rinks are covered by a metal pavilion with open sides to provide shelter while maintaining an outdoor feel. These ice rinks play host for hockey leagues and events, curling leagues and events and figure skating practice and events in the winter. In the Summer the concrete slabs of the rinks are used for a variety of sporting and event program space including: backyard games; ball hockey; roller hockey; roller derby; tennis; volleyball as well as concerts and events.
Image courtesy of Visitbuffaloniagara.com
The hockey rinks are drained of their ice outside of Winter where they are used for various events. USA Ball Hockey has hosted their annual Future Stars tournament there the past two years. The tournament features children 16 and under in both Boys and Girls Divisions.
Buffalo River Works – one of two rinks
Buffalo RiverWorks Hockey Rink in the Summer
“Something for everyone”
The interior & exterior space at RiverWorks contains:
- A 5,000-person art, entertainment and concert venue that was opened in 2014
- The first permanent, purpose built, flat track roller derby track in the world
- Four bars
- Ales & Axes – Ax Throwing facility with a full bar!
- 2 covered, outdoor ice rinks w/ Locker rooms for sports leagues
- A restaurant & a concession food area
- The Buffalo RiverWorks Brewing Co.
- The Buffal-O Ferris Wheel
- Riverland Amusement Park
- 4 Ziplines
- Urban Air Ropes Course
- Silo/Rock Climbing
- Kayak rental(s) & launch site
- Arcade games
- A Martial Arts Dojo
This 60,000 sq. ft. space in the main building can also be converted to use for any event, including but not limited to: concerts, banquets, weddings, corporate events of all kinds, sports tournaments, festivals, trade shows, conventions, art demonstrations and non-for-profit fundraiser events. (Courtesy of BuffaloRiverWorks.com)
As Buffalo welcomes the World Ball Hockey Championships to their grand stage, join us in offering our thanks to the host city for this terrific venue. We look forward to seeing all the fans there cheering on their countries!
