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Jefferson-Lewis BOCES Plans to Expand Programs After
Taking Over Maple Ridge Center in Lowville;
Seeking Buyer for Snow Tubing Operation
Published: January 14, 2026
at 05:15 p.m.
By: Press Release from Jefferson-Lewis BOCES
Jeff-Lewis BOCES to Expand Programs at Maple Ridge
Center, Seeks Buyer for Tubing Hill
After finalizing
a lease agreement for the property in November, Jefferson-Lewis BOCES is
moving forward with plans to use the Maple Ridge Center, 7421 East Road,
Lowville, to expand career and technical education programs and job
training opportunities for students throughout the region.
The Maple Ridge
site will initially help BOCES expand and develop new programs, while
remaining a community asset.
For years, the
Maple Ridge Center has hosted events and family celebrations and has been
renowned for its snow-tubing hill.
“We hope the
community traditions continue at Maple Ridge, and we look forward to the
property remaining an asset to contribute to the local economy,”
Jefferson-Lewis BOCES District Superintendent Christopher DiFulvio said.
While use of
Maple Ridge will remain available to community members and outside
groups/organizations, BOCES does not have the legal authority and resources
to operate a snow tubing hill and is looking to sell or lease that portion
of the property.
“It’s our desire
to work with a business partner to continue the tubing operations, allowing
it to remain a recreational activity for families and visitors to the
region,” DiFulvio said. “We welcome inquiries from anyone wanting to
purchase or lease the hill.”
Anyone seeking
information concerning the use of Maple Ridge or purchasing/leasing the
tubing hill can contact BOCES at 315-779-7000.
The recently
signed lease agreement for the 56-acre Maple Ridge Center is part of
long-term, multi-site, facilities-expansion strategy BOCES has developed in
response to significant enrollment increases and regional workforce
development needs. This will begin in the near term with expanded space for
the Heavy Equipment program offered to high school students in Lewis
County.
This strategy
will also include a proposed building swap agreement with Lewis County.
Under this proposal, Jefferson-Lewis BOCES will assume 100% ownership of
the Lewis County Education Center, 7395 East Road, Lowville, in exchange
for Lewis County assuming 100% ownership of the Boak Education Center, 5439
Shady Avenue, Lowville. This building exchange will meet capacity needs by
helping ensure students no longer wait for placement in high-demand
programs. It will also offer adaptable space for possible future program
development in agriculture and forestry—sectors central to regional
workforce pipelines. As BOCES moves ahead with
this long-term, multi-site, facilities-expansion
strategy, we continue to communicate and seek feedback from all of our stakeholders in the region.
"Lewis
County is excited to expand the partnership with Jefferson-Lewis BOCES to
increase educational opportunities for the region”, says Timothy Hunt,
Lewis County Manager.
BOCES also plans
to address infrastructure needs at its other facilities in Jefferson and
Lewis Counties. They are the Howard G. Sackett Technical Center in
Glenfield and the Charles H. Bohlen, Jr. Technical Center and Special
Education Building in Watertown—all of which will continue to serve
students. In 2025, BOCES entered into an agreement with 302 Globe LLC, to
lease space in the newly renovated Globe Building at 302 Court Street in
Downtown Watertown. The first floor of the building houses health career
programs for high school and adult students.
About
Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton-Herkimer-Oneida BOCES Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton-Herkimer-Oneida
BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) offers cost-effective
shared services to 18 component school districts. These services include
career and technical education course offerings as
well as special education, instructional and
administrative support services. BOCES also serves the continuing education
needs of local business, labor and industries in the community and offers a
wide range of continuing education opportunities for adult learners. Learn
more at www.boces.com.
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