Buccaneer Arena
{{Short description|Ice hockey arena in Urbandale, Iowa}}
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = Buccaneer Arena
| nickname = The Madhouse on Hickman
| image = 95KGGO Arena.jpg
| image_size = 300px
| pushpin_map = Iowa#USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Iowa##Location within the United States
| pushpin_relief = 1
| pushpin_label = Buccaneer Arena
| location = 7201 Hickman Road
Urbandale, Iowa 50322
| broke_ground = 1960
| opened = November 12, 1961
| renovated = 2008
| expanded =
| closed =
| demolished =
| owner = Orchard View Sports & Entertainment, LLC
| operator = Orchard View Sports & Entertainment, LLC
| surface = Ice
| construction_cost =
| architect =
| former_names = Des Moines Ice Arena (1961–1973)
Metro Ice Sports Arena (1973–2004)
95-KGGO Arena (2005–2008)
| tenants = Des Moines Oak Leafs/Capitols (USHL/IHL) (1961–1975)
Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) (1980–present)
Iowa Demon Hawks (MASL2) (2023–present)
| seating_capacity = 3,461, standing room 700
| dimensions =
}}
Buccaneer Arena is a 3,461-seat, with standing room for an additional 700, multi-purpose arena in Urbandale, Iowa, that is home to the Des Moines Buccaneers ice hockey team in the United States Hockey League. Before the Bucs began playing in 1980, the International Hockey League's Des Moines Oak Leafs and Des Moines Capitols franchise played here.
Building history
The arena opened on November 12, 1961{{cite news | title=Leafs Hand Metros 10-1 Loss in Debut| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=F4ZRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8xAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6955,1637990&dq=en| newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel| date=November 13, 1963| accessdate=November 19, 2011}} as the Des Moines Ice Arena. It was later renamed the Metro Ice Sports Arena before becoming Buccaneer Arena in mid-2004. On September 22, 2005, Buccaneer Arena was renamed 95-KGGO Arena after Citadel Broadcasting, owners of radio station KGGO, purchased the naming rights to the arena. It is nicknamed the "Madhouse on Hickman" for its location on Hickman Road.{{cite web |url=http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/buccaneer-arena-s1498/ |title=Buccaneer Arena Reviews, Des Moines Buccaneers {{!}} Stadium Journey |website=www.stadiumjourney.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318122110/http://www.stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/buccaneer-arena-s1498 |archive-date=2013-03-18}} In 2008, the arena changed its name back to Buccaneer Arena. In 2020, the arena's roof was damaged during the August 2020 Midwest derecho.{{cite web |url=https://www.kcci.com/article/des-moines-iowa-buccaneers-to-open-season-at-wells-fargo-arena/34362282 |title=Des Moines Buccaneers to open season at Wells Fargo Arena |website=KCCI |date=October 13, 2020}}
Tenants
The arena served as home ice for the Des Moines Buccaneers' ten championship seasons in the 1990s: Anderson Cup regular season champions in 1993–94, 1994–95, 1997–98, 1998–99; Clark Cup playoff champions in 1992, 1995, 1999, 2006; and Gold Cup Junior A champions in 1992, 1995, 1998. Following the damage to the roof in 2020, the team was forced to start the 2020–21 season at Wells Fargo Arena in downtown Des Moines. In November 2020, the team announced it would be replacing the old arena as part of a project to turn the former Younkers department store location in Merle Hay Mall into a new 3,500-seat, $59 million arena.{{cite web |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/development/2020/11/19/des-moines-buccaneers-hockey-team-moving-new-arena-merle-hay-mall/3766286001/ |title=Des Moines Buccaneers hockey team moving to new 3,500-seat arena at Merle Hay Mall |website=The Des Moines Register |date=November 19, 2020}} Buccaneer Arena completed repairs in January 2021, and plans to build the new hockey arena within the mall would fall through in July of 2024 due to the team's lease expiring. Mall officials have also stated they will continue to build the new venue and are open to renegotiating their lease with the team as well.{{cite web| url = https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/retail/2024/07/02/des-moines-buccaneers-pullout-wont-stop-merle-hay-arena-plan-mall-owner-says/74278402007/| title = Des Moines Buccaneers out of Merle Hay hockey arena plan; mall says an arena is still a go}}
In August 2024, the Buccaneers announced they would temporarily move to the MidAmerican Energy Co. Recplex located in West Des Moines for the 2024-25 USHL season due to a mechanical issue that would delay the arena's ability to make ice prior to the team's season opening game the following month. In the same statement, team officials also proclaimed they would continue to make the arena operational again until "it is no longer sustainable to do."{{cite web| url = https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/hockey/2024/08/29/des-moines-buccaneers-to-relocate-after-arena-faces-mechanical-issues-recplex-ushl/74995223007/| title = Des Moines Bucs to relocate after mechanical issues at home arena. Where will they play?}}
In 2007, the arena hosted the College Hockey America championship tournament.{{cite web| url = http://www.uscho.com/2006/07/03/cha-heads-to-iowa-for-2007-tournament/| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160204214848/http://www.uscho.com/2006/07/03/cha-heads-to-iowa-for-2007-tournament/| archive-date = 2016-02-04| title = CHA Heads To Iowa For 2007 Tournament :: USCHO.com :: U.S. College Hockey Online}} The arena has also hosted mixed martial arts.{{Cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/01/victory-fc-48-heads-to-iowa-on-feb-19-with-jackson-vs-moreno-title-fight|title = Victory FC 48 heads to Iowa on Feb. 19 with Jackson vs. Moreno title fight|date = 26 January 2016}}
It is also where the Paul Robidoux got his start as the worlds premier intermission announcer.
References
{{reflist}}
Further reading
{{refbegin}}
- {{cite news |last1=Krull |first1=Kirsten |title=There's no place like home for Des Moines Buccaneers |url=https://www.therinklive.com/junior-and-prospects/ushl/ushl-roundup-theres-no-place-like-home-for-des-moines-buccaneers |access-date=25 September 2024 |work=The Rink Live |date=27 October 2022 |language=en}}
- {{cite news |last1=Wolf |first1=Sydney |title=Des Moines Buccaneers relocating venues for 2024-25 season |url=https://www.therinklive.com/junior-and-prospects/ushl/des-moines-buccaneers-relocating-venues-for-2024-25-season |access-date=25 September 2024 |work=The Rink Live |date=29 August 2024 |language=en}}
- {{cite news |last1=Lathers |first1=Addison |last2=Joens |first2=Philip |title=Des Moines Buccaneers out of Merle Hay hockey arena plan; mall says an arena is still a go |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/retail/2024/07/02/des-moines-buccaneers-pullout-wont-stop-merle-hay-arena-plan-mall-owner-says/74278402007/ |access-date=25 September 2024 |work=The Des Moines Register |date=3 July 2024}}
- {{cite news |last1=Clayworth |first1=Jason |title=Stalled $60 million Bucs arena faces Iowa board |url=https://www.axios.com/local/des-moines/2024/01/17/desmoines-buccaneers-hockey-arena-merle-hay-mall |access-date=25 September 2024 |date=17 January 2024}}
- {{cite news |title=Des Moines Buccaneers playing home games in West Des Moines this season |url=https://www.kcci.com/article/des-moines-buccaneers-playing-home-games-at-in-west-des-moines-this-season-hockey-recplex/61998782 |access-date=25 September 2024 |work=KCCI |publisher=Hearst Television |date=28 August 2024 |language=en}}
{{refend}}
External links
- [http://www.bucshockey.com/ Des Moines Buccaneers] official website
- [https://rinkatlas.com/rinks/1152 RinkAtlas listing for Buccaneer Arena]
- [http://www.etix.com/venueResources/ticket/images/3051_ticket/desmoinebucshockeyseating Buccaneer Arena seating chart]
{{USHL Arenas}}
{{coord|41|36|56|N|93|43|4|W|type:landmark|display=title}}
Category:Ice hockey venues in Iowa
Category:Sports in Des Moines, Iowa
Category:Sports venues in Greater Des Moines
Category:Buildings and structures in Polk County, Iowa
Category:Tourist attractions in Polk County, Iowa
Category:1961 establishments in Iowa
Category:Sports venues completed in 1961
{{Iowa-stadium-stub}}