The first phase of a civic center in Council Bluffs is nearing completion. Lynn Higginbotham says the Mid-America Center is being built in stages. When the arena part of the Mid-America Center opens next month, the first event will be a River City Lancers game against the Lincoln Stars October 18. The 75-million-dollar facility will be more than just a hockey rink for the former Omaha Lancers, one of the most successful junior hockey teams in North America. Besides hockey there will be motocross events, rodeos, concerts, ice shows and lots of family events. A much larger Omaha Convention Center is slated to open in August 2003, but Higgenbotham says that will be a “plus” since the Council Bluffs arena complements it.She explains there are many shows and acts that require a mid-sized venue, far more than those that could fill a really big hall, so there will be plenty looking to book the Council Bluffs arena — and Higginbotham adds entertainers like to fill a hall, not look at empty seats. After the arena opens, planners anticipate adding a retail shopping area nearby, as well as a 16-theatre movie complex and a water park. The River City Lancers, which up till this year were the Omaha Lancers, are touting their new name and arena with the phrase “A New Ice Age begins,” and their roster and schedule are up on the team’s website, www.lancers.com