Omaha Civic Dilemma

Omaha, Neb., city officials have to decide the fate of the 10,960-capacity Omaha Civic Auditorium following the results of a six-month study.

The study, funded by nonprofit group Heritage Services, says the aging facility faces a $29 million price tag for basic upkeep, according to the World-Herald.

City officials now have to decide whether to pay the hefty price tag, close the venue or turn it in to something else.

The 56-year-old auditorium, home to the Omaha Lancers hockey team, Omaha Viper indoor soccer team and Omaha Beef indoor football team, has competition from the 18,200-capacity CenturyLink Center Omaha, 24,000-capacity TD Ameritrade Park and the Holland Performing Arts Center.

The City of Ralston is also on track to open a $32 million, 3,500-capacity sports and events center next year that will lure the Civic’s home teams away, the paper said.