Construction of the 7,500-seat arena and attached convention center is expected to be completed by October 2002.

An indoor-outdoor water park and attached hotel could open by the summer of 2002. The total cost of the project is about $150 million.

The core project is being funded by several organizations, including the state's Vision Iowa Fund, who is contributing $31 million.

The remaining funds will come from the casino-funded Iowa West Foundation, who is chipping in $22 million, Harvey's Casino (soon to become Harrah's) with $7.5 million and the city with $7.5 million in infrastructure improvements.

An additional $75 million will come from private development.

The arena will be the new home of the Omaha Lancers hockey team. The Lancers will move out of their present home at the Ak-Sar-Ben Coliseum and into the the new Bluffs arena for the 2002-03 season. Lancer owner Ted Baer, said the team has not yet decided whether it would change its name to reflect its new geographic location.

Bluffs officials hope the new complex will attract statewide and regional conventions, as well as special exhibitions such as professional wrestling or midsize concerts.

The city's three casinos are also hoping for increased business.

Meeting the October 2002 deadline will be very important to both the Lancers and the casino operators. Pottawattamie County voters will vote in November of 2002 whether casino gambling should be reauthorized.

Chamber of Commerce President Bob Mundt said the project was elevating the city's status throughout the region and in the eyes of its own residents.