Was It The Best Hockey Venue in Omaha?

The laborious deconstruction of the Omaha Civic Auditorium continues. Someday, in the not-so-distant future, the property will be some sort of office/condo/lodging/retail center in downtown (like other gentrification-induced developments in urban cores).

But was it the best place to watch hockey in Omaha?

Local inhabitants have various theories on that topic.

While it lacked in various modern amenities like suites and padded seats, the venue had wicked sight angles and a flat ceiling that held in noise.

From its opening in 1954 until the opening of the Qwest Center Omaha in 2003, the Civic Auditorium was the city's largest indoor sports, convention, and entertainment venue.

I have a number of fond memories watching events there. I got to see everything from comedian Gallagher smashing watermelons with a sledgehammer, to Jim Courier and Michael Chang playing tennis in the "Healthy Choice Challenge."

My favorite memories came during the nascent years of the University of Nebraska at Omaha Hockey program as it battled in the hallowed confines.

From our perch in Section 73, Row D, seats 3 and 4, we formed a love and passion for the game that remains to this day.

I talked in depth about UNO's tenure at the Civic in a series of posts titled "Arena Origin Story" on our MavPuck blog last year (leading up to the opening of the university's new home, Baxter Arena).

When UNO left the Civic Auditorium in 2003 (for the behemoth that was the Qwest Center Omaha), there seemed to be perpetual debate as to whether or not the move was a mistake.

The subtext of the Baxter Arena project was that it would allow attendees to experience UNO Hockey in smaller quarters with better sight lines -- "not a bad seat in the house" was the term used, which evoked a popular sentiment about the Civic Auditorium during the program's first six seasons.

We can debate whether or not the new venue is a return to form. Side effects of an intimate atmosphere include tight concourses and crowded concession stands -- things that weren't an issue with hockey at the Qwest/Century Link Center.

(Personally speaking, I love Baxter Arena. But it is its own unique experience.)

As Omahans watch the long, slow deconstruction of downtown's venerable arena, we can recall a different world where patrons had different priorities.

Soon, it will become a forgotten memory and a footnote to history.

Read my previous post: When Men Were Men…