* * * PHOTO SHOWCASE: New Ralston Arena * * *
Ralston celebrated a milestone in the construction of its $32 million arena Wednesday with the raising of the last exterior steel beam.
Officials from the City of Ralston, Omaha Beef, Omaha Lancers and University of Nebraska at Omaha athletics were on hand for a ceremony to mark the milestone.
Representatives of the teams, Ralston city government and the community signed the 40-foot, 1-ton beam before construction workers hoisted it into place.
The 3,500-seat ice rink, sports arena and events center, situated near 72nd and Q Streets, is due to open in October.
Mayor Don Groesser said the moment represented a historic day for Ralston. Groesser, whose push to build the arena won the overwhelming support of Ralston voters, is hoping the arena will spark economic development in the city.
“This is a super day of celebration,” he said.
At the same time, Ralston leaders and firefighters took time to remember Kyle Ienn, the city's fire chief, who died Tuesday in an apparent suicide. Several firefighters wrote tributes to Ienn on the steel beam.
From its place atop the arena structure, the beam will hold the flags of the United States, City of Ralston, contractor Boyd Jones Construction, the Beef, Lancers and UNO.
The Lancers will be the first to play at the arena this fall.
Derrin Hansen, head coach of the UNO men's basketball team, said the arena will be a great recruiting tool for his team and help establish its new place in Division I.
“The timing couldn't have been better,” he said.
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