08-04-2025
Des Moines City Council approves changes to Merle Hay Mall hockey arena project
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Des Moines City Council on Monday voted to approve changes to the Merle Hay Mall hockey arena project.
In 2021 the mall and the Des Moines Buccaneers announced a multi-million-dollar project to build a 3,500-seat ice hockey arena that leaders hoped would rejuvenate the surrounding area. But in July, roughly two years after the project broke ground, the Buccaneers pulled out of the project citing its cost and contractual issues.
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After nearly a year of the project being stalled, the mall announced that it would go on with the project with a few changes and new tenants.
According to mall leaders, the plans now include just one sheet of ice, sports courts, and pickleball courts. Those who would use the multi-use space would include the Drake Hockey Team, Iowa Demon Hawks, and others.
In order to continue with the project, the Des Moines City Council and Urbandale City Council have to approve the amended project application for state funding. The project jumped through one of those hurdles on Monday with the Des Moines City Council's stamp of approval. The Urbandale City Council is expected to vote on the amendment on April 15.
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