The Iowa State hockey players campaigned for it door-to-door.

The Ames Ice is Nice organization publicized it throughout the city of Ames.

And now, thanks in part to many ISU students who braved the rainy weather Tuesday in order to get out and vote, there will be a new ice arena in Ames.

For the past few months, the current ice arena has been a hotly discussed topic around town.

Various organizations have worked to publicize the need for the new ice arena, which will be jointly funded by the City of Ames and ISU.

While debating whether the city and university should work together to build a new arena, several of the old arena’s trouble spots were brought to light.

It’s no wonder those who regularly skate on the ice so desperately want a new rink built.

It was discovered that the arena, used nearly 20 hours each day, is literally falling apart.

Uneven arena ice, 12 feet of frost beneath the sand under the rink, paint chips falling onto the ice and out-dated mechanical systems were just a few of the problems plaguing the arena and those who use it.

Yep, it was definitely time for a new rink. In fact, it was beyond time. ISU has been known as the worst ice rink to skate on in the hockey league.

And Tuesday night the ISU students and community members decided enough was enough.

Nearly 4,000 people turned out to vote. About 3,300 people voted for the ice arena bond which will raise home property assessment tax by $7.62 annual per $100,000 valuation in Ames to help fund $1.7 million of the arena.

ISU will foot the additional $2 million needed to build the arena, which will be built just west of the current rink located south of Towers Residence Association.

It is gratifying to see the university and City of Ames working together to solve a problem that affects the constituencies of both groups.

Joint projects such as this increase the bond between students and the city in which they live. It makes ISU aware of the benefits of being located in Ames, and it makes Ames realize how lucky it is to have the university.

It’s also gratifying to see students get involved in a community problem and help work to solve it. Thanks to their work, hundreds of people will profit.