Des Moines Bucs to relocate after mechanical issues at home arena. Where will they play?

The Des Moines Buccaneers are moving to West Des Moines after a mechanical issue at the team's longtime Urbandale arena has delayed their ability to make ice ahead of the their first home game in September.

The Buccaneers announced Wednesday that their relocation to the MidAmerican Energy Co. RecPlex, 6500 Grand Ave., will ensure "reliable and high quality conditions" for the entire season. The $45 million, 300,000-square-foot recreation facility opened in 2021.

The move comes after the Bucs pulled out of negotiations to be the main tenant at a new arena planned at Merle Hay Mall.

The RecPlex has two ice sheets, in addition to other athletic facilities. Drake Hockey and the Des Moines Oak Leafs already play their home games there.

The Bucs said in a news release that "our goal is to ensure that you continue to enjoy the same great atmosphere and excitement that you've come to expect from Buccaneers hockey, with the added benefits that this new venue will offer."

The move is temporary, they said. According to the release, the Buccaneers will work to make their arena at 7201 Hickman Road, which the Polk County assessor classifies as in "below normal" condition, operational again — at least, until it is "no longer sustainable to do so."

Buccaneers Arena, built in 1961, has housed the team for 45 years.

"You are well aware of the challenges we have all confronted in our facility and continued to work through to provide a place to play hockey and skate," the release said. "We are committed to making this transition as seamless as possible for all of you."

In the meantime, the Buccaneers will attempt to create a new seating layout at the RecPlex that mirrors the experience fans would have gotten in their Urbandale arena. The RecPlex's largest ice rink seats 2,400 people. That's almost 30% fewer than the Buccaneers Arena, which seats 3,461.

Mechanical issue comes after Buccaneers back out of Merle Hay plan

In early July, news broke that the Buccaneers were backing out of a deal to be the anchor tenant for a 3,500-seat, $59 million arena at the Merle Hay Mall. The decision came after years of lease negotiations that extended far past the arena's ceremonal groundbreaking in 2022.

Mall CEO Liz Holland has since told the Des Moines Register that the mall will still build the venue, and that she's heard from a dozen potential tenants .

She also said she would be open to renewing lease negotiation with the Buccaneers, if they decided to do so.

"The door is never fully closed," Holland said.

Addison Lathers covers growth and development for the Des Moines metro. Reach her at 608-931-1761 or alathers@registermedia.com, and follow her on X at @addisonlathers.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Des Moines Bucs to relocate after mechanical issues at home arena. Where will they play?