We want to share an important update with you about Aksarben Curling’s efforts to build a dedicated curling community center in the Omaha metro.
Property identified and assessed
As you may recall from our March 2026 update, we identified a warehouse that is being constructed and will be online this August. The space is at 7413 Irvington Road not far from the I-680 and Irvington/Blair exit. Our team has conducted preliminary test fits for the 18,577sf space and it will easily accommodate 5 sheets and plenty of space for a warm room with tables and chairs, small bar, and bathrooms. The proposed lease rate is within our budget. The buildout costs are similar to that of the revised costs for The Courts volleyball space that we assessed in the fall and winter, and as such the space on Irvington Road is within our fundraising capacity. Moreover, the owner of the property is supportive of this space being used for curling. [read more]
Letter of intent signed
Our commercial broker has been working with the landlord’s broker to negotiate a letter of intent (LOI). We have arrived at agreed upon terms around the lease rate, lease period (an initial 10-year period with four 5-year extensions), and tenant improvement allowance to help build out the space. Last week, our team signed the lease and the landlord countersigned it. We now have a framework of core terms and soon will begin negotiating a lease.
While this is not yet a done deal, it is an exciting step for our project! It brings us closer to a dedicated curling center for the greater community.
Fundraising progress
Our team estimates that our project will cost around $1.6M to $1.7M. Thus far, Aksarben Curling has over $750,000 in cash on hand and an additional $151,000 in pledges. The landlord is willing to provide $250,000 in tenant improvement allowance to assist with buildout costs. We have also had good conversations with leadership at USA Curling to help secure a $250,000 10-year 0% loan from the World Curling Federation. Together, that puts Aksarben Curling at over $1.4M in raised and likely support with at least another $200,000 to raise. We are finalizing our costs this quarter and will zero in on our final fundraising goal soon.
In the meantime, we have submitted a grant request to the Douglas County Visitor Improvement Fund and are arranging conversations with some prospective external funders. Our leadership team is also talking with members one-on-one about how members can pledge and contribute to make this project a reality.Soon, we will begin pushing harder to ask every member household to consider what you can contribute as a personal contribution for the capital campaign. I’ve been moved by many members who’ve already made early pledges and contributions—thank you to all of you!
Your support for this project would ensure Aksarben Curling 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.
Timeline considerations
In May, we will submit an application for a special use permit to rezone the warehouse space that Aksarben Curling would occupy. Our goal is to conclude that process by mid-July and then seek a building permit. Our hope is to begin construction and build out in the fall of 2026 with a goal of being online in a new space sometime in Q1 of 2027.It’s important to note that this timeline is still fluid and delays may occur. This spring and summer, we want to dial-in a precise timeline so we can plan operations for the full 2026-2027 season.
How Members Can Help
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 could 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.
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.
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 with questions or to discuss charitable giving and pledges.
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
