Plans to build an ice arena inside Merle Hay Mall have been scrapped. A spokesman for the city of Urbandale said the Des Moines Buccaneers hockey team last week ended talks with mall officials over a long-delayed project to remodel the southwest corner of the mall, where the former Younkers was located. “Despite extensive discussion, review and significant efforts by all involved, it became apparent that an agreement between the private parties would not be finalized,” said Derek Zahn, Urbandale's director of marketing and communications. “While this is not the outcome we envisioned or hoped for, we recognize the hard work and dedication of all involved.” The mall's Younkers anchor closed in 2018, about a year after initial plans for a new $40 million hockey arena were announced. Team leaders said they would vacate the Buccaneers arena, which has been their home since 1980 at 72nd Street and Hickman Road. Developers initially hoped to open the new 3,500-seat facility in time for the Buccaneers' 2023 season. An agreement ultimately fell through. Zahn said, “(Urbandale, Des Moines) and Polk County remain committed to exploring future opportunities that will help bring new investment, growth and vitality to the surrounding area and the central Iowa region at our vibrant Merle Hay Mall campus.” The Buccaneers will open next season on Sept. 28 against the Waterloo Blackhawks at Young Arena. Their first home game of the season is Oct. 4 against the Blackhawks. This is an ongoing story.
Plans to build an ice arena at Merle Hay Mall have been scrapped.
The Des Moines Buccaneers hockey team ended talks with mall officials last week about a long-delayed project to renovate the southwest corner of the mall that once housed Younkers, an Urbandale city spokesman said.
“Despite thorough discussion, consideration and significant effort by all involved, it has become apparent that an agreement between the private parties will not ultimately be reached,” said Derek Zahn, Urbandale's director of marketing and communications. “While this is not the outcome that was anticipated or desired, we appreciate the hard work and dedication of all involved.”
The Junkers' home base at the mall closed in 2018 and plans to build a new $40 million hockey arena were announced about a year later. Team officials said the team would vacate Buccaneers Arena, its home since 1980 at 72nd Street and Hickman Road.
Developers had originally hoped to open the new 3,500-seat facility in time for the Buccaneers' 2023 season, but a deal ultimately fell through.
“(Urbandale, Des Moines) and Polk County remain committed to exploring future opportunities that will help bring new investment, growth and vitality to the vibrant Merle Hay Mall campus for the surrounding area and the central Iowa region,” Zahn said.
The Buccaneers will open next season against the Waterloo Blackhawks at Young Arena on Sept. 28. Their first home game of the season will be against the Blackhawks on Oct. 4.
This is a developing story.
