Buccaneer Arena is a 3,408-seat multi-purpose arena in Urbandale, Iowa that is currently home to the Des Moines Buccaneers ice hockey team in the United States Hockey League. Before the Bucs began playing here in 1980, the International Hockey League's Des Moines Oak Leafs and Des Moines Capitols franchise played here.
The arena was built in 1961 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 95KGGO Arena after Citadel Broadcasting, owners of radio station KGGO, purchased the naming rights to the arena. It is often nicknamed the "Madhouse on Hickman" for its location on Hickman Road. In 2008, the arena changed its name back to Buccaneer Arena.
The arena serves as the home ice for the Des Moines Buccaneers' 10 championships in the 1990s (Anderson Cup regular season champs in 1994, '95, '98, '99, Clark Cup playoff champs in 1992, '95, '99, '06 and Gold Cup Junior-A champs in '92, '95, '98). In 2007, the arena hosted the College Hockey America championship tournament. The arena also hosts Midwest Cage Championship MMA fights, concerts and benefits.
During the summer of 2008, many renovations were done inside the arena, with plans to update and renovate more of the arena after the Buccaneers 2008 - 2009 season. Improvements will include better access, a larger lounge, stadium seating, new glass, new boards, etc.
Famous quotes containing the word arena:
“O the joy of the strong-brawn’d fighter, towering in the arena in perfect condition, conscious of power, thirsting to meet his opponent.”
—Walt Whitman (1819–1892)