Ice Box (arena)
{{short description|Multi-purpose arena in Lincoln, Nebraska}}
{{For|other uses of Ice Box|Ice Box (disambiguation)}}
{{infobox venue
| stadium_name = The Ice Box
| nickname =
| image =
| caption =
| pushpin_map = Nebraska#USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Nebraska##Location within the United States
| pushpin_relief = 1
| pushpin_label = The Ice Box
| location = 1800 Transformation Drive
Lincoln, Nebraska
| broke_ground =
| opened = 1951
| renovated = 1996
| expanded = 1998
| closed = 2031 (planned)
| owner = University of Nebraska–Lincoln
| operator = Lincoln Stars
| surface = Multi-surface
| architect = Ayars & Ayars
| tenants = Lincoln Stars (USHL) (1996–present)
No Coast Roller Derby (WFTDA) (2015–present)
| seating_capacity = 4,212 (2015–present)
{{collapsible list|
- 4,231 (1996–1998)
- 5,010 (1998–mid-2000s)
- 4,610 (mid-2000s–2015)
}}
}}
The Ice Box is a multi-purpose arena on the campus of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in Lincoln, Nebraska. It has a listed capacity of 4,212 and primarily serves as the home venue of the Lincoln Stars of the United States Hockey League.
Lincoln Stars
Constructed in 1951 as a livestock arena on the grounds of the Nebraska State Fair, the venue was adapted for ice hockey when the expansion Lincoln Stars joined the United States Hockey League in 1996.{{cite news|url=https://journalstar.com/sports/stars-hockey/article_b51d8423-2498-52ea-8390-135d7f5e7e67.html|title=Stars hockey: Ice Box more about history than looks|author=Tim Gray|newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star|date=24 September 2015|access-date=31 January 2024}} The Stars were highly successful in their first decade, often filling the Ice Box beyond its listed capacity and selling out every game from 1996 until 2002. Though still strong compared to the rest of the league, attendance numbers have dropped as the team's success faded.{{cite web|url=https://www.hockeydb.com/nhl-attendance/att_graph.php?tmi=6590|title=Lincoln Stars Yearly Attendance Graph|website=HockeyDB|access-date=23 June 2025}} The Ice Box's fans and overall atmosphere have been praised as the USHL's best.{{cite news|url=https://journalstar.com/sports/official-stars-are-happy-at-ice-box/article_7659cdf6-248c-57f7-84cc-a6cebd75d055.html|title=Official: Stars are happy at Ice Box|author=Brent Wagner|newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star|date=3 April 2008|access-date=23 April 2025}}
In 2008, the university acquired the Ice Box and state fairgrounds in a ceremonial transaction with the City of Lincoln; though the arena was spared, the fairgrounds were demolished to make room for Nebraska Innovation Campus.{{cite news|url=https://www.dailynebraskan.com/legislature-approves-state-fair-move/article_44d18ac0-460d-5d06-a24b-2628d2d53dfd.html|title=Legislature approves State Fair move|author=Katie Steiner|newspaper=The Daily Nebraskan|date=16 April 2008|access-date=23 June 2025}} The Ice Box is leased to the Stars until 2031, at which time it is recommended for demolition, with mixed-use or research facilities to be constructed on the site.{{cite web|url=https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/urban-development/redevelopment/nicredevwcba.pdf|title=Nebraska Innovation Campus (NIC) Redevelopment Plan|publisher=City of Lincoln|date=8 September 2010|access-date=20 February 2024|format=PDF}}
Other tenants
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln does not sponsor a varsity men's or women's ice hockey program, but its men's club team used the Ice Box to practice until the John Breslow Ice Hockey Center opened in 2015.{{cite news|url=https://www.dailynebraskan.com/sports/how-the-unl-hockey-club-went-from-a-crowd-of-30-to-1-000/article_8cbf1de8-c565-11e5-ad28-d3209e8cf111.html|title=How the UNL hockey club went from a crowd of 30 to 1,000|author=Sydny Boyd|newspaper=The Daily Nebraskan|date=28 January 2016|access-date=23 June 2025}} Despite initial speculation the Stars may also move to the Breslow Center, team officials stated the 1,500-seat venue "just wouldn’t fit our needs."
No Coast Roller Derby, a co-ed flat track roller derby league, has hosted events at the Ice Box since 2015.{{cite web|url=https://innovate.unl.edu/no-coast-roller-derby/|title=No Coast Roller Derby|website=Nebraska Innovation Campus|access-date=23 April 2025}}
Until 2008, the Ice Box's ice surface was removed during summer and early fall months to accommodate state fair events. The arena is occasionally used to host small concerts and student events.{{cite news|url=https://www.dailynebraskan.com/culture/students-reflect-spring-concert-venue-change-guess-performer/article_00cf4c68-0484-11e7-bf1b-8f392c56c6df.html|title=Students reflect spring concert venue change, guess performer|author=Joe John|newspaper=The Daily Nebraskan|date=9 March 2017|access-date=23 June 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{University of Nebraska–Lincoln}}
{{USHL Arenas}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|40|49|58|N|96|41|50|W|type:landmark|display=title}}
Category:Indoor arenas in Nebraska
Category:Ice hockey venues in the United States
Category:Sports venues in Nebraska
Category:Sports in Lincoln, Nebraska
Category:Buildings and structures in Lincoln, Nebraska
Category:Tourist attractions in Lincoln, Nebraska