A new sports arena in Des Moines is a step closer to reality. Iowa Governor Tom Villsack signed the “Vision Iowa” bill Tuesday that creates a state fund to help local communities construct major attractions. One proposal is a new arena in Des Moines to replace aging Veterans Auditorium. Iowa Barnstormers President Jim Foster says a new arena would not only help the Arena Football League franchise, but help make Iowa a more attractive place to live.Foster says a new building is necessary to offset the rising cost of doing business. He says projections show teams need to sell 12,000 seats to break even. Foster says they only have around 10,000 to sell. Foster says they need to hand on until the new arena opens.Foster says the next step is for Polk County officials to line up local funding for the project. He says if the county can’t match the state dollars, the project has no chance.
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