One ton of iron was hoisted 60 feet into the air Wednesday morning as Ralston celebrated the placement of the final exterior beam at the city's $31 million sports and events center at 72nd and Q streets.
About 200 people turned out to autograph the 40-foot beam, including local civic leaders, city employees and personnel from what will be the three major tenants at the arena: the Omaha Lancers, the University of Nebraska at Omaha men's basketball team and the Omaha Beef.
"It's a last step and a first step," Ralston Mayor Don Groesser said as he watched the beam being set into place on the east façade of the arena shortly after 10 a.m. "It's the last step in a big process of getting this thing off the ground and a big first step for what we see in the future life of this facility. It's just a very exciting, phenomenal day of celebration for our city."
Watching in the crowd as the beam swung into final position, Lancers President Ben Robert said he could hardly contain his glee.
The Lancers will begin play at the venue upon its scheduled completion in October. Robert said his club is doing everything it can to have the hottest ticket in the metro area and said season ticket sales are coming in at a clip of about 25 per day.
"I'm loving it," Robert said. "Exciting times. I've stood on the arena floor about 15 times since the project started and every time I go down there, I get goosebumps. I can see it's going to be electric, the best party in town."
That's the hope for Ralston officials, as well.
And toward that end, the city is working to make the 3,500-seat arena a state-of-the-art venue to take in a concert or game.
With 202 club seats around the bowl and 12 suites, the facility is also adding a pair of what arena general manager Curtis Webb called "bunker suites" that, during hockey games, will be large rooms at ice level, right up against the glass and able to accommodate 28 people each.
As Webb watched the beam set in place, he ruminated on his first three weeks' employment with the city.
"I feel very lucky to be here," he said. "And I want to be here a long, long time. This is great. It's all about just getting it done now. But this is going to be a great chance to show some folks what a special thing we've made here and how we've worked hard to make it world class."
That was the sentiment expressed by many prime movers for the arena Wednesday.
UNO men's basketball coach Derrin Hansen, also in the crowd, said his squad's future home will not only be a great venue for play but also a prime recruiting tool.
The Mavericks, having made the transition to NCAA baskteball's Division I this season, will join the Summit League in the 2012-13 campaign.
"This gives us a tremendous leg up," Hansen said. "It's a perfect stepping stone going into the league. It will pay huge dividends for us in the future."
Also checking out the new digs for his team was Beef General Manager Josh Roehr.
The Beef, an Indoor Football League franchise, are slated to open their 2013 season next March at the Ralston arena.
"We're really excited," Roehr said. "During this whole process, partnering with the City of Ralston, it's just been great for us. We look at this as a great opportunity for the team and our fans. We're looking to build off the excitement the Lancers are going to bring here and just make it a great atmosphere."
While excitement abounded, Wednesday's beam-raising ceremony also struck a somber note, coming just one day after the death of Ralston Volunteer Fire Department Chief Kyle Ienn. Dozens of Ralston firefighters attended the ceremony and signed the beam with notes of tribute to their fallen leader and a moment of silence was observed before the beam was lifted.
"As we lift this beam, we do so celebrating Kyle Ienn's life," Groesser said.
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