USHL: Coming Up Short in Omaha

The Sioux Falls Stampede are still two seasons away from moving into their new home in the First Premier Center.  But one of their United States Hockey League rivals will get their new ice this season.

The Omaha Lancers will take up residence in Ralston Arena, just outside Omaha. But there's going to be something missing in Ralston.  Something you'll find at just about every other ice rink in the world.

From the Omaha World-Herald:

The City of Ralston had enough money to build a $32 million ice arena, but not enough to buy the Zambonis to resurface the ice.

The arena project at 72nd and Q Streets, approved overwhelmingly by Ralston's voters in May 2011, did not have the funds for the facility's furnishings and equipment — including hockey nets, basketball flooring and all electronics and scoreboards.

Now city officials have made a late move to approve an additional $4.25 million to cover those expenses as the arena nears its October grand opening.

The additional bonds will drive up the project's total cost by 13 percent to $36 million.

The facility will also be home to the Indoor Football League's Omaha Beef and the men's basketball team from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.