With all 20 of the precinct totals counted, the unoffical count Tuesday night showed 83 percent of the nearly 4,000 voters voted “yes” supporting the bond issue for the proposed ice arena.

Eighty-three percent, or 3,307 voters, voted “yes” for the arena, while 680 voted “no.” The measure needed at least 60 percent of the voters to approve the bond for it to pass.

The current ice arena is in poor condition, according to Iowa State hockey officials and other community organizations like Ice is Nice.

The bond issue promises $1.7 million from the City of Ames for the new arena, which will be built west of the current arena. ISU would pay the remaining $2 million.

The new facility would be managed by the City of Ames and jointly owned by the city and ISU.

“It’s an important project,” said John McCaroll, director of University Relations, adding that it has the support of the students.

“It’s a very good example of a good working relationship between the interest of the university and community,” he said.

One of the most outspoken supporters of the new ice arena, ISU hockey Coach Al Murdoch was out of town Tuesday night and not available for comment.

But Anthony Penner, hockey defense player and sophomore in sport management, thanked everyone who voted for the new arena.

Penner was one of the players who accompanied Murdoch around residence hall floors, encouraging students to register for the election.

“Regardless of the amount of work, at this point it’s all worth it,” Penner said. “This is what our goal [was], and we achieved it.”

Construction on the new arena is expected to begin by the fall of 1999, according to an Ice is Nice press release.