Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

New UNO Arena Construction Thread---Facility to open for the start of '15-'16 Season

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • New UNO Arena Construction Thread---Facility to open for the start of '15-'16 Season

    Despite the lack of any official groundbreaking notice by the school, construction has begun of UNO's new arena. Coach Blais, in an interview on USCHO Live in November alluded to some sort of December groundbreaking, but this did not occur as he said and I have corresponded with the Omaha World Herald on the topic (during the 3rd week of December) and they knew of no date for any sort of grounbreaking "ceremony", either. So, quietly, it would seem, construction has commenced.

    Here is the new construction web cam (Hi-def) at the site:

    http://www.truelook.com/clients/tetrad-unoarena/?full

    The arena site is on the very far southwest extreme edge of the UNO campus. There is little to no development to the south, which is why the arena site looks "lonely" on the web cam. Immediately to the north across the street is the Aksarben Village development:

    http://aksarbenvillage.com/

    For you Diner's Drive-ins, and Dives aficionados, across the street from the site, immediately to the east is Amato's:

    http://www.foodnetwork.com/restauran...estaurant.html

    Sam Amato, the owner, appears to have big plans for his restaurant because of his proximity to it:

    http://www.omaha.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...NEWS/711269942

    Be advised that the "private developer partner" mentioned in the World Herald article, Scott-Woodbury-Wiegert, is no longer involved in the project.

    UNO is currently soliciting applications for a General Manager of the facility as well:

    http://agency.governmentjobs.com/uno...b&jobID=795486

    The facility is as yet unnamed except for the current moniker "UNO Community Arena" a name I have a hard time believing it will end up with, long term.

    Here are some pics:

    http://absolutedsm.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&p=96311

    The architect is HDR of Omaha:

    http://www.hdrinc.com/portfolio/uno-arena

    And the general contractor is Kiewit Construction of Omaha:

    http://www.omahadailyrecord.com/inde...how=10&mid=205

    The construction crane is now on-site. In fact, there are two of them.

    This has been posted, elsewhere, before, but, here is the video depiction of the facility:

    http://www.omavs.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?id=3070359

    I'll post updates here as they arise and I encourage anyone else that wishes to do so as well.

  • #2
    Re: New UNO Arena Construction Thread---Facility to open for the start of '15-'16 Sea

    Here is a construction update on the arena dated today from the Athletic Department. This is covered in the first segment of the 7+ minute video. The rest of it is unrelated to it. Dave Ahlers (who hosts the video) neglects to mention that he is the radio voice of UNO hockey as well:

    http://www.omavs.com/mediaPortal/pla...412&id=3201909

    Air Force would seem an odd choice of opponents to have the honor of being the team to open our new building.

    That said, Air Force’s Head Coach is Frank Serratore, who was formerly the Head Coach of the Omaha Lancers and Air Force is whom UNO defeated for the first win in program history. Obviously, I have no idea whether either thing played a role in Air Force getting the honor of opening our building. Taking either/or into account, it’s still an odd choice.

    I tell you what would have been a lot better. An exhibition game against the Husker’s ACHA team, something that has never happened but has been discussed a couple times. You wouldn’t have been able to get near the place (you won’t, probably, anyway, though).

    My real preference would have been Michigan (1st choice by virtue of being former CCHA brethren) or North Dakota (my 2nd choice). Or, possibly, Minnesota State (the Purple Cows who, up to this year we've played every year and have a traveling trophy with) or Alaska, who we have played more times than any other program in college hockey. ANY of these would have been better choices than Air Force (with apologies to the service academies).

    Oh, well, Air Force it is, I guess.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: New UNO Arena Construction Thread---Facility to open for the start of '15-'16 Sea

      They did a nice job on the 2 videos. Having Air Force here might be a blessing in disguise. Inviting an opponent that won't likely have many fans at the game leaves more seats for the rest of us. The weasels UNL or NoDak would have overwhelmed the place. I did see a few people this past weekend at the games who were wearing red sweaters that said Husker Hockey on them. You can bet your boots Eichorst will announce the start of their div1 team by the time our arena opens. They already have the arena.
      UNLEASH THE FURY!!!!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLMMx3MRi0s

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: New UNO Arena Construction Thread---Facility to open for the start of '15-'16 Sea

        Originally posted by MAVFANJEFF View Post
        They did a nice job on the 2 videos. Having Air Force here might be a blessing in disguise. Inviting an opponent that won't likely have many fans at the game leaves more seats for the rest of us. The weasels UNL or NoDak would have overwhelmed the place. I did see a few people this past weekend at the games who were wearing red sweaters that said Husker Hockey on them. You can bet your boots Eichorst will announce the start of their div1 team by the time our arena opens. They already have the arena.
        I thought about this being a problem with appearances by those teams. My ASSUMPTION, though, is that there'd be few tickets for the enemy to lay their hands on. Presumably, the place will be sold out before the season starts for every game? Right?

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: New UNO Arena Construction Thread---Facility to open for the start of '15-'16 Sea

          Originally posted by Red Cows View Post
          Here is a construction update on the arena dated today from the Athletic Department. This is covered in the first segment of the 7+ minute video. The rest of it is unrelated to it. Dave Ahlers (who hosts the video) neglects to mention that he is the radio voice of UNO hockey as well:

          http://www.omavs.com/mediaPortal/pla...412&id=3201909

          Air Force would seem an odd choice of opponents to have the honor of being the team to open our new building.

          That said, Air Force’s Head Coach is Frank Serratore, who was formerly the Head Coach of the Omaha Lancers and Air Force is whom UNO defeated for the first win in program history. Obviously, I have no idea whether either thing played a role in Air Force getting the honor of opening our building. Taking either/or into account, it’s still an odd choice.

          I tell you what would have been a lot better. An exhibition game against the Husker’s ACHA team, something that has never happened but has been discussed a couple times. You wouldn’t have been able to get near the place (you won’t, probably, anyway, though).

          My real preference would have been Michigan (1st choice by virtue of being former CCHA brethren) or North Dakota (my 2nd choice). Or, possibly, Minnesota State (the Purple Cows who, up to this year we've played every year and have a traveling trophy with) or Alaska, who we have played more times than any other program in college hockey. ANY of these would have been better choices than Air Force (with apologies to the service academies).

          Oh, well, Air Force it is, I guess.
          I would have loved if North Dakota would have been the opening night team, could only hope we could have helped you open the arena the same way we did Amsoil in Duluth with a 5-0 win!

          In all seriousness though I'm really excited for this arena to open. It looks beautiful and I had a great time visiting Omaha for the outdoor game so I'll be in attendance for the first UND series!

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: New UNO Arena Construction Thread---Facility to open for the start of '15-'16 Sea

            Originally posted by Red Cows View Post
            I thought about this being a problem with appearances by those teams. My ASSUMPTION, though, is that there'd be few tickets for the enemy to lay their hands on. Presumably, the place will be sold out before the season starts for every game? Right?
            What I'd love to see is the opener this coming fall against the Canadian school to be part of a double header in the Ralston arena with the Lancers playing the Stars. Get as many people packed in that barn as possible and have one hell of a party.
            UNLEASH THE FURY!!!!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLMMx3MRi0s

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: New UNO Arena Construction Thread---Facility to open for the start of '15-'16 Sea

              Originally posted by MAVFANJEFF View Post
              What I'd love to see is the opener this coming fall against the Canadian school to be part of a double header in the Ralston arena with the Lancers playing the Stars. Get as many people packed in that barn as possible and have one hell of a party.
              You know, that isn't a bad idea, either. I never thought of that.

              Manitoba would be the obvious choice there, too.

              Of course, it is asking a lot of the UNO Athletic Department to actually give this some thought and actually do something cool, clueless as they are.

              For you outsiders, UNO is successful at the gate in spite of itself, not because of itself. I shudder to think what might be possible with well thought out, effective promotion of this program.

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: New UNO Arena Construction Thread---Facility to open for the start of '15-'16 Sea

                Our old home is for sale. Anybody care to buy it?

                https://www.facebook.com/MavpuckPage...51972790152921

                http://www.omaha.com/article/20140219/NEWS/140218534

                We sold out every game we ever played there.

                131 straight sellouts at "The Bullpen" (something all UNO fans should be proud of), which seated 8,314 for hockey.
                Last edited by Red Cows; 02-20-2014, 02:11 AM.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: New UNO Arena Construction Thread---Facility to open for the start of '15-'16 Sea

                  Originally posted by Red Cows View Post
                  You know, that isn't a bad idea, either. I never thought of that.

                  Manitoba would be the obvious choice there, too.

                  Of course, it is asking a lot of the UNO Athletic Department to actually give this some thought and actually do something cool, clueless as they are.

                  For you outsiders, UNO is successful at the gate in spite of itself, not because of itself. I shudder to think what might be possible with well thought out, effective promotion of this program.
                  my other brilliant idea if you can call it that,,,, Have an outdoor double header on Caniglia Field. Instead of putting a rink on tdamerifraid park do it on campus keep more of the revenue. 2 problems though. No beer on campus and I have no idea how many seats are there. If they could get some of those portable bleachers and put them close to the ice behind the goal we shoot at that would be nice. Have a $10 hot cocoa all you can drink deal. Charge $8 for parking, use the crossroads garage with shuttle buses. They could probably get 1st Data on board and use their lots too. I just don't know enough about the seating there to cling to the idea. Someone needs to hypnotize Trev and Mike Kemp and tell them to do these 2 things. I thought when they tore down Rosenblatt that UNO should have gone after some of the old bleacher seats.

                  "131 straight sellouts at "The Bullpen" (something all UNO fans should be proud of), which seated 8,314 for hockey. "

                  my 2 greatest thrills there,1) the playin game against BGSU 2)shaking Greg Zanon's hand and thanking him for all the great memories on autograph night. Other less significant memories include the cage match with the Crusher, Baron Von Raske, Mad Dog Vachon and some other fat out of shape wrestler who's name I can't remember and the Shrine Circus.
                  Last edited by MAVFANJEFF; 02-20-2014, 07:43 PM.
                  UNLEASH THE FURY!!!!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLMMx3MRi0s

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: New UNO Arena Construction Thread---Facility to open for the start of '15-'16 Sea

                    Speaking of the Ralston arena and the Lancers:
                    http://www.omaha.com/article/2014022...hy-association
                    I think the mayor should referee the contest now that the police and fire unions hate her guts.
                    UNLEASH THE FURY!!!!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLMMx3MRi0s

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: New UNO Arena Construction Thread---Facility to open for the start of '15-'16 Sea

                      Think UNO needs/doesn't need their own arena?

                      MECA (the city created private/public entity that operates the CenturyLink Center for the city of Omaha) has committed to a concert date at the Clink that would directly conflict with a possible 3rd game of a UNO home ice NCHC tournament game on March 16th.

                      Unbelievable, and, par for the course for the cast of clowns that sit on the MECA board and their minions.

                      Here is a synopsis of the situation from Husker Mike's blog:

                      http://huskermike.blogspot.com/2014/...no-hockey.html

                      As a result,the school announced today (how nobody noticed this until now I'll never know) that UNO is going to have play a Thursday, Friday, Saturday (if necessary) series as a result of this stupidity. Providing we get home ice, of course.

                      Unreal. And talk about complete and utter disrespect, too.

                      They probably saw the preseason poll that had UNO picked last and figured they'd go for the sure dollars of a concert and the hell with the UNO hockey program, who are "abandoning" them and their poorly run building (as far as UNO is concerned), anyway.
                      Last edited by Red Cows; 02-21-2014, 09:15 PM.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: New UNO Arena Construction Thread---Facility to open for the start of '15-'16 Sea

                        MECA and the City of Omaha have apparently finally come to the stark realization that UNO is leaving the CenturyLink Center here in Omaha:

                        http://www.omaha.com/article/2014022...ter-uno-hockey

                        Even though this needed to happen for a number of reasons, MECA and the City have no one to blame for this but themselves. They could have made it financially/logistically attractive for UNO to stay. I don't think they wanted to (they can get more people in the building consistently than are there for UNO games on these primo Friday and Saturday night dates) and I think UNO realized that they had to have their own on-campus facility if they were REALLY serious about being a "hockey school". Additionally, the team's practice situation is ridiculous and untenable and has been used as a recruiting tool against UNO. This is probably a win for all involved, financially. Except that a side effect is that UNO now has to move into a facility that is really too small for their needs as a result of this.

                        Since it became a sure thing UNO was leaving, it has been pretty obvious that they've already been swept under the rug since the game day experience has been an exercise in the minimalist approach for some time, now.

                        The club seat and suite holders mentioned by Roger Dixon in the article are not UNO hockey fans, by and large, anyway. Many, many seats in club seating go unused for every hockey game with many suites being empty for them as well. This is the reason you see such a smattering of people actually at UNO games in prime seating areas when you are watching a game on TV, for example. Those seats are owned by people that did not buy them for hockey purposes. Same goes for most of the suites as well.
                        Last edited by Red Cows; 02-25-2014, 08:23 AM.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: New UNO Arena Construction Thread---Facility to open for the start of '15-'16 Sea

                          Originally posted by Red Cows View Post
                          Those seats are owned by people that did not buy them for hockey purposes. Same goes for most of the suites as well.
                          I've been kicked out of those seats a lot. Only to watch them sit empty the entire game.
                          UNLEASH THE FURY!!!!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLMMx3MRi0s

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: New UNO Arena Construction Thread---Facility to open for the start of '15-'16 Sea

                            WCCO in Minneapolis takes a look at UNO recruiting (at the expense of Minnesota schools) and UNO's new arena:

                            http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2014/0...ockey-players/
                            Last edited by Red Cows; 03-05-2014, 10:29 PM.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: New UNO Arena Construction Thread---Facility to open for the start of '15-'16 Sea

                              Development news that abuts UNO's new arena, which is still currently a mostly a hole in the ground as site prep continues:

                              http://www.omaha.com/article/2014041...-land-purchase

                              Here, again, is the construction web cam:

                              http://www.truelook.com/clients/tetrad-unoarena/?full

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X