Hockey team decision delayed
JANESVILLE — The city council Monday night delayed for at least two weeks a decision on whether to spend $200,000 to bring a junior A hockey team here.
Two issues—beer sales and unhappy current ice rink users—were at the forefront of the discussion.
The council had been scheduled to act on an agreement with Wisconsin Hockey Partners to upgrade the ice center. The remodeling would include locker rooms and office space for the team as required by the North American Hockey League. The team would pay the city rent for the space and ice time, and the city could make an estimated $14,000 to $20,000 a year.
The council previously approved spending $29,000 for an architect.
But several speakers from a figure skating group told the council Monday night they had not been involved in earlier meetings with the city and Wisconsin Hockey Partners. They said they didn’t know whether the team would affect their group and were frustrated that they had not been asked for input.
Council member Kathy Voskuil said she was concerned that key user groups were not part of the process.
Council member Bill Truman agreed.
“They’re the ones who made this hockey rink for the last 10 to 15 years,” he said. “And if we lose them and the hockey group leaves, we might as well close it down.”
Eric Levitt, Janesville’s new city manager, apologized to any groups not included in previous meetings. He said the city had several personnel changes during the process, which started months before Levitt became city manager in December.
“They (the users groups) will be involved as we move forward,” Levitt said.
He cautioned, however, that there won’t be much left from the $200,000 if the groups have specific requests for improvements.
Beer sales
Several residents on Monday also expressed concern about beer being served around youth. Bill McCoshen, a partner in Wisconsin Hockey Partners, has said the revenue from beer sales is needed to make the team financially successful.
“I’m just hoping you might want to consider some other options as far as funding this adventure,” said Billy Bob Grahn, 152 S. Locust St. “Please let’s not put our kids in any more harm in the name of the almighty dollar.”
Council members, too, expected to see in the agreement how beer and youth would be separated.
“One thing that sticks out, whether by phone call or speakers, there’s a true concern about beer sales,” Truman said.
Levitt said they still are studying the best way to handle the beer sales, although there are limitations because of the rink’s configuration.
Council member George Brunner said many residents have contacted him about the hockey team, saying: “I didn’t get a chance to respond to e-mails about the ice arena because my phone was ringing off the hook about the ice arena.
Brunner said most residents, while wary of the $200,000 investment, approve of upgrading the rink for local users. But the council would be bound to maintain the ice arena, and Brunner said he believes costly improvements are in the future.
Levitt estimated the rink could cost $1.5 million in the next five years, maybe sooner if there’s a failure in Freon system that freezes the ice. But that would have to be replaced whether the hockey team is here or not, he said.
McCoshen and his partners still have to decide if they want to go ahead with their own investment to bring a team here, which includes a $200,000 franchise fee. The team should get about 20 percent of its revenues from corporate sponsorships or advertising, and McCoshen said that has been “a little slow right now. It’s a tough economy.”
McCoshen has said Wisconsin Hockey Partners will make a decision by March 15.
McCoshen said two other communities have approached him about locating there if it doesn’t work in Janesville.
“We came to you and are still very much interested in making this work,” he said.
“We picked this city because you have a lot of things we like … Janesville is going to come back, and it’s going to come back strong.
“Do you bring amenities before you bring jobs?” he asked. “I don’t know. I’m willing to take a chance that having an amenity here will help get jobs.”
---
Bill McCoshen, a partner in Wisconsin Hockey Partners, said he’s been following the articles in The Janesville Gazette and reading online comments and understands the community’s concerns about spending $200,000 so a junior A hockey team can locate here.
“I think we can work through the remaining issues,” McCoshen said Monday. “I’m not dismissing any of them. I do watch the blogs … although some of it is a little mean-spirited, I do think it’s because people don’t know all the facts.”
Below are some of the answers he gave to questions posed Monday:
Q: Who would benefit from the $200,000 in remodeling?
A: Money would be spent to upgrade the concession stand, extend the aboveground heating system and improve the sound system. Money also would be spent on the team’s locker rooms and offices, which the team would rent from the city.
“Of that $200,000, zero goes to us,” McCoshen said.
The city expects to make $14,000 to $20,000 a year but would have to borrow the $200,000.
Q: Could the city be involved in approving the advertising around the rink?
A: Yes.
“It’s not in our interest of putting something offensive up there (and) have a group of fans not come again,” McCoshen said.
Q: Can beer sales and youth be separated?
A: Not completely because of the rink’s layout. City Manager Eric Levitt and McCoshen said they still were looking at the best ways to do it, including creating a family section.
Q: Who would make money on the concessions?
A: Mostly the Janesville Youth Hockey League. The city and the team would get a portion. McCoshen doesn’t expect it to be a great amount: On a good night, for instance, the Bluebirds gross about $900.
Q: What about the lack of parking?
A: “I can’t fix that. I’m hoping it’s a problem. really. I’m hoping we have so many people that we have to find separate parking (and provide shuttles),” McCoshen said.
Q: Could the league go bankrupt?
A: The North American Hockey League is the oldest junior hockey league in North America. Some teams do come and go.
“Some get in for the wrong reason,” McCoshen said. “You don’t really make money in junior hockey. You gotta have greater goals than that.”
Mar 11, 2009 at 11:48 a.m.
Suggest removal
Okay so my comment got published twice....that just shows you how passionate I am about the youth of our city. I realize it's hard to imagine...but the youth of our city are our future voters.
Mar 11, 2009 at 11:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
Wow...reading these blogs is scary and sad. I'm sad that the majority of bloggers can't seem to see the bigger long-range picture and get past deal with the "me, myself and I"..how it affects them. How about looking instead at the advantages of upgrading the ice rink and not focus solely on the money. What about our future citizens who don't seem to be having a voice here?Obviously nobody here has thought much about them. Janeville's youth (kids all ages)NEED something safe and relatively inexpensive to do. Let the rink fail and close it's doors and you are setting the city up for much bigger problems. What is the youth of Janesville supposed to do for entertainment... Sit and blog all day on the computer as must spacejam and get absolutely NO exercise or perhaps cruise the streets, or spend tons of their out of work parent's bucks at the mall or cruise Walmart? I'm only hearing negativity here and nothing that will HELP the youth of Janesville. I'm sure we could use the $200,000 on more police protection, security for businesses, and juvie centers because if our present citizens don't think about keeping youth occupied in safe and more healthy endeavors....that is where you tax dollars will NEED to be spent. This whole deal is not simply about hockey or figure skating or even the possible incoming team...it's about the future. Public skate at the rink brings in over 300 people on the weekends alone. The rollerskating rink is already closed..there is no rollerblading/skateboard park for the kids...what's left? Getting into trouble? Can we all take a step back from the money and think about the future for a change.
Mar 11, 2009 at 11:41 a.m.
Suggest removal
Wow...reading these blogs is scary and sad. I'm sad that the majority of bloggers can't seem to see the bigger long-range picture and get past deal with the "me, myself and I"..how it affects them. How about looking instead at the advantages of upgrading the ice rink and not focus solely on the money. What about our future citizens who don't seem to be having a voice here?Obviously nobody here has thought much about them. Janeville's youth (kids all ages)NEED something safe and relatively inexpensive to do. Let the rink fail and close it's doors and you are setting the city up for much bigger problems. What is the youth of Janesville supposed to do for entertainment... Sit and blog all day on the computer as must spacejam and get absolutely NO exercise or perhaps cruise the streets, or spend tons of their out of work parent's bucks at the mall or cruise Walmart? I'm only hearing negativity here and nothing that will HELP the youth of Janesville. I'm sure we could use the $200,000 on more police protection, security for businesses, and juvie centers because if our present citizens don't think about keeping youth occupied in safe and more healthy endeavors....that is where you tax dollars will NEED to be spent. This whole deal is not simply about hockey or figure skating or even the possible incoming team...it's about the future. Public skate at the rink brings in over 300 people on the weekends alone. The rollerskating rink is already closed..there is no rollerblading/skateboard park for the kids...what's left. Can we all take a step back from the money and thinks about the future for a change.
Mar 4, 2009 at 2:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
lamonte:
SuperDave: OH, SO SORRY!!!! if you don't like it MOVE ON!!! sorry for jamming YOUR space!!!
Mar 2, 2009 at 4:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
I'll second that superdave, well said. Just think if spacebrain were to put this much passion into something constructive.
Mar 2, 2009 at 4:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
spacejam: you are aptly named. As I read the comments herein, I see your name and simply stop reading (you posted too many comments). Say less, and people will pay attention, assuming they can forget what you posted here.
Feb 27, 2009 at 5:34 p.m.
Suggest removal
Most certainty Mr. Levitt , city attorney and city employee’s have already spent many hours on this, so all-in-all, since he is only one person, While he is working on the alternative plan for this idea, it will result in the sacrifice of other tasks which many citizens want to have attended to. The way I see it, if Mr. Levitt has time to lavish on this sort of idea, what important matters does he handle, anyway? Maybe he just doesn’t have enough to do; since he and the city attorney already spent so many hours on this selected want for the city. Instead of what’s good for all!!!
Feb 25, 2009 at 9 p.m.
Suggest removal
If it wasn't for the "user groups" this may have passed!!!
Feb 25, 2009 at 8:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
In my opinion this is taxation without representation!!!!
Feb 25, 2009 at 8:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
The summary is inaccurate also!!!
Feb 25, 2009 at 8:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
Community survey does not show, would you support this idea with taxpayer money!!!!!
Feb 25, 2009 at 8:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
What is the need for closed sessions?
HHHHMMMMM?
Feb 25, 2009 at 8:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
The city needs to get a better website!!!
Feb 25, 2009 at 8:19 p.m.
Suggest removal
Sorry my last post link will dial you in better
Feb 25, 2009 at 8:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
http://www.ci.janesville.wi.us/weblink7/...
Feb 25, 2009 at 8:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
History can teach us a lot, Please read Background information, Closed session http://www.ci.janesville.wi.us/weblink7/......
Feb 25, 2009 at 6:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
Mr. Levitt and city council, your intention is good. You should evaluate what’s good for all instead of a selected group!!!!
Feb 25, 2009 at 6:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
Whatever happened to City government's philosophy that ammenities like this should be funded mostly by those that use the service? I say give the money for this project to the Senior Center instead, to help restore the upper floor of their building. A limited number of us are interested in hockey, but most of us are going to live to grow old and want to use those services. Although it has been expressed that our new City Manager's passion for hockey has nothing to do with this proposal, he must realize that the previous City Manager seemed to be able to persuade the City Council to get most everything he wanted. Therefore the suspicions of intent will be automatic.
Feb 25, 2009 at 5:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
There is more unfortunate taxpayer’s in this city, than there are fortunate taxpayers!!!!!
Feb 25, 2009 at 5:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
Or is this for people who do have JOBS?!!
Feb 25, 2009 at 5:34 p.m.
Suggest removal
So they can spend money on an event like this!!!
Feb 25, 2009 at 5:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
JOBS that can support a family!!!!!!
Feb 25, 2009 at 5:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
McCoshen said. “You don’t really make money in junior hockey. You gotta have greater goals than that.”
I do it's called JOBS!!!!!!!
Feb 24, 2009 at 6:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
For those of you bashing the ice skaters they also spend hours of practice time, spend money on their sport and deserve the same consideration as hockey. I am sure those of you who have hockey players can relate to that based on some of the comments here. I also would like to see a children’s museum (instills an understanding of science and develops critical thinking skills), a skateboard park (encourages physical fitness, enhancements to the bike trail (also promotes physical fitness),and the aquatic center (once again promotes physical fitness). All of the said above would do the same for the city as a hockey team, encourage people to visit Janesville. For all of you who say the hockey team is for the kids of the community at least be honest and admit it is for the adults to sit and watch (for human enjoyment a.k.a. entertainment.)
Feb 24, 2009 at 4:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
I really think alot of people are missing the point of this team.If you heard the groups spokesman he said this is not a get rich type of business its more to give kids opportunity to be noticed by colleges and scouts, and in that process the people in the city get to enjoy some great hockey.Come on people lets not scare another business away from the city.I think its great that someone still wants to call janesville home.Remember WPH is taking a chance here as well.Lets play hockey!
Feb 24, 2009 at 4:29 p.m.
Suggest removal
While we're wasting taxpayer's money, when times are rough for the majority of people, I want a waterpark/amusement park here in Janesville.
Feb 24, 2009 at 2:49 p.m.
Suggest removal
I mispoke in my last post. The Dubuque Thunderbirds play in the CSHL not the NAHL. It's the same hockey, just a different league.
Feb 24, 2009 at 2:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
Lets put this beer issue to rest. 2 years ago the rink hosted a NAHL game with the Dubuque Thunder hosting a team from Michigan. The place was packed, beer was served, and no one got hurt. I will be traveling to Eble Ice Arena in Waukesha next weekend for a JYHC game. They serve beer all the time, even during this youth hockey game, but I, as a responsible adult will not be enjoying any beer, as I will be driving home. If I can do it, so can anyone attending a Junior A game in Janesville.
Feb 24, 2009 at 1:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
I agree....people have no business drinking and driving....
But why is that the focus here?? The people that make those bad decisions will do it regardless if there is a hockey team here or not. There are plenty of other places to do it. Should we not have any bars or restaurants either??
Perhaps there should be an inquiry to other Cities to see how they handle it? I have been in literally thousands of different ice rinks in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and Michigan over the years, and I can tell you that better than 75% of them have facilities for selling Beer...and most of them do not have Junior Teams. I think it would be interesting to inquire with the facilities or the Cities to see if it is a problem. I have never seen an issue, and I have attended a lot of hockey games. However, I think it would be better get input from existing situations to get the facts rather than just jumping to conclusions that it will be a problem.
Feb 24, 2009 at 1:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
It is time for change BUT...be real hockey is a great idea, but you have to remember, it is not a professional team, they wont bring in that much revenue. I know ya'll are tryin to hold onto something, but move on this aint the right time for this, how are we going to fund a hockey team when we cant even get our streets plowed when it snows, think people!! BUT AGGREED ICE ARENA NEEDS TO BE UPGRADED, but not right now. fiqure skaters to do nothing for the ice arena, i worked at the ice arena for 3 years, they do nothing but cause trouble and stress.
Feb 24, 2009 at 1:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
Maybe the JPD could put up check points around the area to let people know we take this very serious!
Feb 24, 2009 at 1:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
Superdave and PB594 - A few years ago when my kids were in hockey, there was a group that wanted to buy the ice rink. The City would not sell it. At the time, I believe the greatest resistance to the proposal was again the Figure Skating Group because they were concerned about losing their ice time.
Feb 24, 2009 at 1:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
With the law being .08 having one or two or three beers would put you and possibly others in jeopardy driving home! Please don't tell me everyone that drinks beer would have someone else drive.!
Feb 24, 2009 at 12:59 p.m.
Suggest removal
Would it be fair if the WHP "PUT-UP" the $200,000 and have the city give them 200,000 in "rent" or ice time? I would also include the city receive a portion of concessions and or alcohol sales or advertising. This would allow the city to put that money collected away for maintenance of the rink, which will need to be done in the future? I wonder if the city has a plan for required maintenance? Let’s say the “ice freezing system” breaks down a day or two before a game! If the city couldn’t repair it before the game then what?
Feb 24, 2009 at 12:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
Nobody is afraid of what they know they are afraid of what they don't know.
Feb 24, 2009 at 12:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
Change is scary for everyone, but I'm shocked at these comments and from the blog on 2/17. Jobs would be created at the rink for these games, new kids enrolled in schools, money being spent on local businesses for food, lodging, families get paid to house the players, etc...
Looks to me like the town wants all of the benefits but none of the responsibility of providing a venue for this idea. Then you automatically jump to "what happens if we lose the income"??? You don't support the idea but then worry about loses?
For those with negative comments, there never is a right time for a new adventure. "when the economy is better" That time never comes for those who can't see opportunity!
Feb 24, 2009 at 11:47 a.m.
Suggest removal
doseman95: Please re-read my previous post.
PB594: Excellent idea! Sell it. If there is money to be made, get out of the way and let the private sector run the business. If not, all the more reason the city government should not pretend to be a sports facility management company. Then take the money from the sale, and the savings from no longer having to manage and maintain the facility, and lower everyone's taxes so that they can afford to stay in the city.
Feb 24, 2009 at 10:14 a.m.
Suggest removal
Maybe the rink (Ice Arena)should be sold off to a private entity. For one it would be built/remodeled corectly with solid infrastructure, it would be manged corectly and more than likely make a profit and the city could get the money from the sale to boot and the tax payers would not have to worry about it. The problem is the city also can see the potential of lost income?
Feb 24, 2009 at 10:11 a.m.
Suggest removal
Who makes the money in this deal? It's the city of Janesville! Junior A teams play of schedule of at least 60 games a season. That is a lot of hotel room reservations, meals purchased in local restrautants. Shopping by the families following the team for the weekend, etc.
Junior A hockey players are working towards getting a D-1 or D-3 college offers. Take a look at another city that has Junior A hockey - Green Bay and see how they are doing. Their team is called the Gamblers and they play in a league that is very similar to the NAHL.
This is a great opporunity for the city of Janesville!
Feb 24, 2009 at 10:01 a.m.
Suggest removal
I am concerned about the possibility of needing $1.5 million in the next five years to make repairs, upgrades, etc., to the rink. Where will that funding come from? According to the proposed contract, this cost would have to be covered by the city.
Feb 24, 2009 at 9:44 a.m.
Suggest removal
Remember when Janesville had first crack at the Beloit Snappers years ago? History repeats.
Feb 24, 2009 at 9:27 a.m.
Suggest removal
Please read the article again and you will see that the proposal is to upgrade the facility, not give 200k to the Junior A team. This facility is old and needs these upgrades and they will be utilized by the local community regardless of the success/failure of the Junior A team.
Feb 24, 2009 at 9:03 a.m.
Suggest removal
This is utterly ridiculous. Let's get rid of this albatross ASAP. Government has absolutely no business spending tax money on ice hockey.
Feb 24, 2009 at 8:53 a.m.
Suggest removal
Well, if you don't make money in the league, then don't sell it as a money-making endeavor. This is really not what we should spend our money on, given these economic hard times. I'm not against hockey, but let private interests invest in such things.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.