City hires private firm to manage ailing Ralston Arena

RALSTON, Neb. (AP) - A private management firm will take over operations at the financially troubled Ralston Arena in suburban Omaha.

The Omaha World-Herald reports that the Ralston City Council approved a contract Tuesday with Spectra Venue Management, a Philadelphia-based entertainment company.

Spectra will be paid $96,000 a year adjusted for annual inflation under its 5½-year contract. The company will take over operations of the arena April 1.

The $41 million arena has not operated in the black since its 2012 opening. Last May the council paid a national consulting firm about $38,000 to analyze the arena.

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Information from: Omaha World-Herald, http://www.omaha.com