Finally. Omaha's Civic Auditorium is Coming Down

This week, demolition of the long-obsolete Civic Auditorium began.  Some are sad about it, especially feeling nostalgic about the building's glory days when a 9,000 seat arena was big enough for most concerts and even the NBA.  I'm not, mind you.  Don't get me wrong; the Civic Auditorium served the city well in it's day.  But it's time was long past.

When the CenturyLink Center opened up, it was clear that the Civic's days were numbered. Events at the new arena had a big-time feel to them - even when the crowd could have fit into the Civic.  More importantly, the new place brought in events that simply wouldn't have come to Omaha otherwise.  U2, Springsteen, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Olympic Swim Trials and the NCAA basketball tournament.   Two weeks from now, I'll don a Hawaiian shirt for the Jimmy Buffett concert.  Sure, not every event appeals to everyone, but there's no denying that Omaha isn't better for having these events come to town.

Many UNO hockey fans are nostalgic for the Civic; I'm not. If anything, I'm still nostalgic for the CenturyLink Center.  The Civic was a functional starter home for UNO hockey, but that's all it was.  It's time is in the past.  Now the property is going to be redeveloped into something more valuable for the city.  It's a better use for the property.