Des Moines Register: Des Moines Buccaneers officials are delaying development of their new hockey arena at Merle Hay Mall. Executives with the junior hockey team announced today that they are having trouble securing private funds for the project, which will turn the former Younkers department store into a 3,500-seat arena. The Buccaneers blamed the delay on rising loan interest rates and construction costs, as well as “economic jitters.” The mall straddles the border of Urbandale and Des Moines, and the two cities sponsored the project in a successful request for $26.5 million of state funding. They have asked the Iowa Economic Development Authority for a six-month extension on a deadline to show that the team has secured enough private money to finish the renovation. IEDA officials originally asked the team to show proof of funding by the end of June. The agency’s board will consider the cities’ request during a meeting Friday.