Omaha's Curling Club Seeks Dedicated Facility as Membership Doubles

The Aksarben Curling Club has seen a surge in popularity, leading to a need for more space to accommodate growth.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Omaha's Aksarben Curling Club has seen its membership double over the past five years, thanks in part to the city hosting the Olympic curling trials twice and increased exposure of the sport during the Olympics. The club currently shares ice time at Baxter Arena with hockey leagues and figure skaters, which limits the programming it can offer. The club is now seeking a dedicated facility that would allow it to expand its offerings, including wheelchair curling and after-school programs.

Why it matters

Curling's growing popularity in Omaha reflects a broader trend of the sport gaining traction across the United States. The Aksarben Curling Club's need for a dedicated facility highlights the demand for more opportunities to play the sport, especially in a community-oriented setting that can bring people together.

The details

The Aksarben Curling Club currently has around 300 people playing every week, making it the largest curling club in the country that plays on hockey ice. However, the shared ice time at Baxter Arena creates scheduling challenges and limits the club's ability to offer additional programming. A dedicated facility would allow the club to host regional and national events, as well as introduce new offerings like wheelchair curling and after-school programs.

  • The Aksarben Curling Club's membership has doubled in the past five years.
  • Omaha has hosted the Olympic curling trials twice in recent years.

The players

Nic Swiercek

President of the Aksarben Curling Club.

Pete Festersen

Omaha City Councilman who grew up curling at the old Aksarben ice rink with his family.

Liliana Delgado

A college student who joined the University of Nebraska Omaha's curling club without prior experience and is now preparing for national competition.

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What they’re saying

“We are the largest curling club in the country that plays on hockey ice.”

— Nic Swiercek, President of the Aksarben Curling Club (3newsnow.com)

“Having our own space will allow us to expand our programming, offer regional and national events.”

— Nic Swiercek, President of the Aksarben Curling Club (3newsnow.com)

“And that's one of the great things about the sport is anyone can play. We have very young players and we have older players, too.”

— Pete Festersen, Omaha City Councilman (3newsnow.com)

“It's very friendly, it's very welcoming. There's very little barrier to entry.”

— Liliana Delgado (3newsnow.com)

What’s next

The Aksarben Curling Club is working with the city of Omaha to secure a dedicated facility that would allow the club to expand its programming and host regional and national events.

The takeaway

Omaha's growing curling community reflects the sport's increasing popularity across the United States. The Aksarben Curling Club's need for a dedicated facility highlights the demand for more opportunities to play curling, especially in a community-oriented setting that can bring people together.