UNO Proposes New Arena - FOX 42: Omaha News, Sports and Weather; kptm.com |

Curt Casper

OMAHA (KPTM) – Its a 73 million dollar arena proposal by the University of Nebraska-Omaha. The goal is to get all 'arena' sports under one roof. The men's basketball team plays at the Ralston Arena, the hockey team plays at the CenturyLink Center and women's basketball and volleyball play at the Sapp Fieldhouse on the UNO campus.

The proposal is being presented to the University's Board of Regents on Friday morning, with a possible vote in the afternoon.

Fox 42 News spoke with one regent who said he supports the proposal because of its benefit to students and intramural sports.

Owners of the Ralston Arena aren't happy. Mayor Don Groesser tells Fox 42 News he has not received a feasibility study or an impact study.

"To put more things in a central location on campus is nice, but you have to think about the impact of those things," he said.

Students at UNO say there is a big benefit. One it will give them a chance to attend more sporting events on campus and would give them a chance to hold 'bigger' events on campus.

Bailey Corcoran said, "Oh yeah, it would be nice to have it down here so we don't have to travel as much."

But some UNO students are worried about the cost of the arena. University officials say the cost is estimated at 73 million dollars and comes from private donations.

"It is just money that UNO doesn't need to be spending that they could be using on other things," student Kristen Roduner said, "It could affect tuition and tuition is already enough the way it is and doesn't need to be done."

Mayor Groesser said if men's basketball were to leave the Ralston Arena (first game is November 9th), the city would look to add other programs like the 'rumored' Denver Nuggets D-league basketball team.

"It's not going to be that bad, obviously we don't want to lose them, once you gain something you don't want to lose it, but I really feel we are going to be in good shape," he said.