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.

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