Lancers to build their own ARENA in Gretna

red ice rooter · Post by **red ice rooter** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 4:44 pm

I heard from not 1 but 2 very reliable sources that the Omaha Lancers currently have plans on the table to build their own 5,000 seat arena in Gretna. Â

Not known if this is an attempt to lower their rent at the MAC or if they think they would draw better in Gretna than the bluffs.

interesting.

red ice rooter
...."what about section O".....

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 5:24 pm

Yeah right. Do any USHL teams have their own arenas?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 5:35 pm

I very much doubt they will be footing the entire bill.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 7:01 pm

I can vouch for this rumor. I have it from a person that works in the steel erection business that the Lancers are indeed getting bids for an arena at 204th and Q street. His company is bidding on the project.

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 7:17 pm

They'll probably draw great out there. Â It wouldn't hurt my feelings to see the Lancer's leave the metro all together. Then maybe some year people will wake up and we can get an AHL team back here.

Post by **Brad** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 9:05 pm

I know there is a lot of bitter people because the knights left, but there is no need to wish death on another team. Â With only 7 games overlapping this year, I will be at both games a LOT!

Nothing against Gretna, but I think a lot of Omaha people will look at Gretna the same way as CB.... its too far away. Â I kind of like the MAC and hope their new arena will be as good.

Uffda · Post by **Uffda** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 10:26 pm

well gretna and 204th and Q are 4 miles apart --- so is it gretna Â or Omaha?

Post by **Coyote** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 10:30 pm

Coventry?

Post by **Brad** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 10:32 pm

I don't think its far, but I am assuming. Â Kind of like the Downtown VP thing...

Either way, I live in the middle of he two so it doesn't matter to me, I like to drive!

Candleshoe · Post by **Candleshoe** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 6:58 am

Yeah right. Do any USHL teams have their own arenas?

How's this? First Tier Center in Kearney owns the Tri City Storm, so would that count? The owner of the center bought the team from Ted Baer a year or so ago.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 7:44 am

OMAHA, not Gretna. 4,000 seats, not 5,000.

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 8:04 am

If the Lancers do build out west and it works for their fans, great. You just won't see me there. Not because it's out west (I don't care where they play) but because I don't think the product is worth my dollar.

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 9:07 am

Just thinking out loud here.... Â Why wouldn't the Lancers team with UNO's proposed Center St sports complex, and build a small arena there? Â UNO could use it as their practice rink, the Lancers could use it as their full time home. Â 72nd street seems like an ideal location in Omaha, not too far from anywhere. Â A centralized location like that would avoid any of the DT/CB vs West O./Gretna debates that seem to be arising (at least on this site). Â

Seriously though, I know this is far fetched, but it seems to make sense. Â Instead of it being a cost center for UNO, it becomes a revenue generator (as I'm sure the Lancers would either pay rent or help fund the construction). Â The Lancers would get a top notch small facility, and UNO would get year round visitors to this new sports complex.

Post by **Brad** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 9:10 am

I like that Idea, I would love to get them back in the Aksarben area.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 10:15 am

It's sad that so much attention could be given to high school hockey players in Omaha while the pros get shafted. I don't care where the Lancers play but it disgusts me that they're still here and the Knights aren't.

Post by **Brad** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 10:29 am

Enough about the Knights. Â Omaha got screwed by outsiders, we can't change that, its over, they are gone.

Lets hope next time, the Omaha AHL team gets 100% local ownership that know their community, and put their team in a better facility or at least update the civic and promote the heck out of the team.

Back to the Lancers. Â While they are high school age, the USHL is the NUMBER 1 junior hockey program in the nation! Â They are better than the average highschool team. Â I am NOT saying they are as good as UNO and I am Â NOT saying UNO is as good as the knights, they are good for their age bracket. Â Most decent players go to Division 1 hockey programs and there are many former USHL players in the NHL.

If you don't think its worth going, that's fine, but quit bashing them because there are 3000 people who do like going. Â When there is no other hockey in town this winter, its a good way to get your hockey fix!

tommy316 · Post by **tommy316** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 3:19 pm

What about building at Southport? On the west side of Cabela's (on the land between that road behind Cabela's and the interstate). You've got hotels, interstate access, movie theater and SOMEDAY some restaurants and retail. Â

I know this idea has been thrown around before, but I think that the Lancer's should revisit it. I know several FORMER Lancer season ticket holders that have said they would be NEW season ticket holders if they came back over the river; especially to Southport.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 5:12 pm

tommy316 wrote:I know several FORMER Lancer season ticket holders that have said they would be NEW season ticket holders if they came back over the river. . . .

No doubt that's true tommy, but what's stopping them from crossing the river? Â Heck, it can't take much more than an extra 5 minutes of driving compared to when the Lancers were at Ak Coliseum for any of them, so what's the holdup?

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 6:57 pm

I'm not a hockey fan. Â Never was. Â Probably never will be (although a lot of my friends are). Â But as an outside observer it would seem to me that having an arena near a freeway exit would make way more sense than putting it out on 210th and Plowed Ground. Â There is no easy way to get out there from most of Omaha or Council Bluffs, because it is 5 or more miles from the nearest freeway. Â The Cabela's Exit is a natural, as would be the N370 exit, or the Irvington exit off 680. Â My guess is it would take 30 or more minutes to get to the identified site from downtown...and even longer from the north side or Iowa.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 7:28 pm

I don't get it either. Â From Southport to the MAC is 10 min or 15 during peak times, Why move?

Post by **Brad** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 7:43 pm

So are they Omaha's casinos....

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:19 pm

Brad wrote:So are they Omaha's casinos....

I've always wondered that myself.

As much as I love Council Bluffs, the MAC, and the general area, I still think the Lancers would be better off at their own arena in West Omaha. Â The heavily rumored area works better logistically as players, coaches, and most fans/potential fans live out there. Â The commute would probably be longer than to the MAC, but I still think people would be more willing. Â And it's very convenient for teenagers; a very strong segment for the Lancers.

Plus, the MAC is just too big for junior hockey. Â A smaller arena would create more demand and a better atmosphere. Â This is how the USHL team in Lincoln has been successful. Â The Stars literally play in a horse barn on the state fair grounds. Â It's small (4600 seats) and has a low, wooden ceiling which really enhances crowd noise. Â There aren't a lot of hockey fans in Lincoln but with a small supply of seats and a party atmosphere, they have created a strong following by USHL standards.

Post by **Brad** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 11:22 pm

True, Aksarben was only +/-6,300

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:58 am

Twiztid1 wrote:Sadly a lot of Omahans don't think the Lancers are Omaha's team anymore, and they refuse to support Council Bluffs. It's so petty.

I would hope that the pettiness (both ways, btw, as I know several who stopped going to Lancers games when the name was changed from River City back to Omaha) can just stop, it's ridiculous, and it doesn't help the metro accomplish what it needs to in so many areas. Â C'est la vie...

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:34 am

No wonder the Knights failed. No one wanted to root for the team from Ak-sar-ben. Plus no one is from there to support the team. It all makes sense now.

icejammer · Post by **icejammer** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:49 am

DTO Luv wrote:No wonder the Knights failed. No one wanted to root for the team from Ak-sar-ben. Plus no one is from there to support the team. It all makes sense now.

You might be on to something!

Wayne Gretzky · Post by **Wayne Gretzky** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:07 pm

From a good source: Â The Lancer organization has talked with the city of Lavista about Southport, specifically the "old Millard Lumber land" . Â Lavista has overextended on the Cabelas and hotels and cannot provide a parking lot or other incentive. Â That may not be a problem however. Â Southport on Cabelas side may be closer to reality than you think.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 8:47 am

Are they able to do this with the closeness with Lincoln? Â I believe there is a rule in the USHL that teams cannot be located within 50 miles of one another without league permission.