Sarpy County, a suburb of Omaha, is exploring the construction of a new arena to go along with a proposed minor-league ballpark.
Sarpy County, encompassing suburbs south of Omaha, is exploring the construction of a new arena to go along with a proposed minor-league ballpark.
The proposal, floated privately by Kermit Brashear (the man negotiating to bring the Omaha Royals to Sarpy County), calls for a facility with rinks for youth hockey and a 7,000-arena for the Omaha Lancers (USHL), who play at Council Bluff’s Mid-America Center. Lancers officials confirm talks with Brashear and Sarpy County over a potential move; the team’s not been happy with Mid-America Center and last fall amended its lease to allow a termination after this year.
Building an arena in Sarpy County would certainly be a bold move. Qwest Center, located in downtown Omaha, is a midsized facility that draws well for concerts and conventions; it also home to the Creighton University mens’ basketball team and the University of Nebraska-Omaha hockey team. The Omaha Civic Auditorium hosts indoor football and Creighton womens’ sports. So the Omaha market is already served by three arenas; adding a fourth will certainly lead to an abundance of riches.
