We are continuing to move forward efforts to open a 5-sheet dedicated curling center in the Omaha metro at 7413 Irvington Road. The building is a new-build warehouse that is being constructed and will be available for leasing in August. The building has a 18,577sf space available that will easily accommodate 5 sheets with plenty of space for a warm room with tables and chairs, small bar, and bathrooms. (Read our recent updates from March and April).
Here are some of our latest updates:
Special use permit for zoning approved by Omaha City Planning Board
On June 3, the Omaha City Planning Board approved our application for a special use permit to rezone the warehouse from a general industrial use to recreational. Our application will now advance to the Omaha City Council in July. We do not expect any issues with it moving forward based on the Planning Board’s recommendations and conversations with city councilmembers.
Architectural drawings and renderings
By the beginning of July, we will finalize architectural and construction drawings. We will use these drawings to finalize total project costs and begin the process for a building permit. Our goal is to begin construction and build out in the fall of 2026 with a goal of being online in a new space in Q1 of 2027.It’s important to note that this timeline is still fluid and delays may occur. This summer, our team will dial-in a precise timeline so we can plan operations for the full 2026-2027 season.
We will also have renderings of the space to share soon with members, so stay tuned!
Negotiating a lease
In April, we signed a letter of intent with the building’s landlord. We agree on core terms around the lease rate, lease period (initial 10-year period with four 5-year extensions), and tenant improvement allowance to help build out the interior of the warehouse. We have been negotiating the full lease and anticipate having a final agreement in the coming weeks.
Project costs and fundraising progress
The current project cost estimate ranges from $1.9M to $2.1M before any value engineering to reduce costs. As mentioned above, we will be able to dial-in and value engineer these costs once we have final drawings.
Thus far, Aksarben Curling has $795,000 in cash on hand and an additional $138,000 in early pledges. The landlord will provide $250,000 in tenant improvement allowance to assist with buildout costs. The Douglas County Visitor Improvement Fund has allocated $50,000 to support our project (the Douglas County Board will vote on this allocation at its June 23 meeting). We are also preparing to submit an application to USA Curling to secure a $250,000 10-year 0% loan from the World Curling Federation. Presently, we have more than $1.48M in raised and likely support.
Our team is arranging conversations with prospective external funders and beginning to talk with local banks about loan options. Our leadership team is also talking with members one-on-one about how members can pledge and contribute to make this project a reality.
Member fundraising: How you can help
Once we finalize costs, we will zero in on our final fundraising goal and begin asking every member household to share what you can contribute as a personal contribution for the capital campaign. We will soon hold some briefings this summer (virtual and in-person) sharing more about the project and how members can help.
Your support for this project will ensure that the Aksarben Curling community has:
- Five sheets of high quality curling-only ice.
- Capacity to double our membership, host multiple leagues each weeknight and weekend, expand our offerings of league types (youth, women’s, mixed doubles, wheelchair, and casual/pickup).
- A dedicated social space for members to gather before and after games.
- Regular practice times and skills clinics for its membership.
- The ability to host youth, regional, and some national tournaments.
- Capacity to fulfill the many requests for private events and community/nonprofit partnerships that we have to turn down every month.
How you can help today
We are asking members to help in a few different ways:
1) Contribute or pledge to contribute
We are encouraging all members to consider what you can personally contribute as a special contribution in support of this project. Many of you have pledged and some have already contributed early—thank you so much!
If you’re in a position to contribute now—amazing! If you can share a firm pledge to give later, great! And if you’re not sure or can only share a soft range, that’s ok, too!
The more that we raise between contributions, commitments, and information from members like you enables Aksarben Curling to make this dream of dedicated curling ice a reality!
If you have not yet pledged, please consider doing so.We encourage members to fill out this commitment form and share it with us. You can email it to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or mail it to: Aksarben Curling, PO Box 24458, Omaha, NE 68124.
How can you give?
- You can contribute online
- Mail a check: payable to Aksarben Curling, PO Box 24458, Omaha, NE 68124
- Through a donor-advised fund.
- Gifts of appreciated stock (contact us for transfer info).
Have questions or want to discuss giving options or pledges? Feel free to contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 402-659-1420.
2) Help connect us with potential funders, companies, and connected folks
We’re asking our members to help share the connections you have outside of the membership with people in the community.
This could be people at local companies that could contribute, provide in-kind services, or sponsor our efforts. It could also include people at local foundations or folks who could help open doors to helpful networks.
Contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 402-659-1420 to share your ideas about people, companies, or organizations who could help us get further in our endeavors.
As always, if you have any questions about our efforts, or ideas, skills, or expertise you can lend, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or pull me aside at league, broomstacking, or one of our member events!
Thank you for being part of the Aksarben Curling community. And thank you to the members who have participated on or helped advise our Dedicated Ice Committee:
Aaron Adams
Brian Akert
Liz Akert
Mike Carstens
Jay Dykes
Stacy Feit
Andy Koszewski
Chris Maras
JoEllen Maras
Sean Morrison
Eric Rodawig
Chad Roza
Ralph Roza
Nate Wendel
Owen Wilhelms
Nic Swiercek
President & Dedicated Ice Committee Chair
Aksarben Curling
