Hockey scores first goal
Other business
The Janesville City Council on Monday:
-- OK'd zoning changes and vacated a public service alley to accommodate a new Walgreens store at Court and Arch streets. Resident Kay Deupree said she is concerned that the new Walgreens would endanger the financial health of the Walgreens at Five Points. The downtown store is a necessity for families who do not have dependable transportation and is convenient for people who like to walk, she said. Developer John Flad said the West Court Street site is an excellent example of urban infill. He said he is not involved in the other store. "My guess is Walgreens will wait and ascertain what impact this new store has," he said. The new Walgreens is scheduled to open in spring 2010.
-- Approved a TIF agreement with PPG for an expansion project that would create six jobs with average salaries of $40,000. The city would make a $60,000 forgivable loan to the company if PPG invests $400,000 in new equipment and maintains its current and expanded workforce. PPG operates a paint mixing facility at 461 W. Conde St.
-- Said goodbye and thanks to Police Chief Neil Mahan and Public Works Director Jack Messer, both attending their last meeting.
"Chief, I want to say thank you from the neighbors," Councilman Bill Truman said. "A lot of people appreciated your services and what you've done for the community. I know in the Fourth Ward we're in a better place because of you. Thank you, and maybe I'll send you a snowball once in a while."
Mahan will return to California after almost five years here.
Truman, a truck driver, and Messer have had a long-running joke about Messer's affinity for roundabouts. A good truck driver can make it around a roundabout while a good engineer wouldn't build them, they'd kid each other.
Truman handed Messer plans for roundabouts and said Messer should take them back with him to Kansas.
"I think we should rename the roundabout at Menards after Jack," Truman said, producing a sign with circling arrows that said, "The Mess."
"I want that sign," Messer said.
JANESVILLE — A junior A hockey team would be an economic shot in the arm and would bring the community together, Janesville City Council members said Monday.
They unanimously approved spending $29,000 for an architect to draw plans to renovate the Janesville Ice Skating Center.
Councilman Russ Steeber included in the same motion a second resolution to spend $200,000 to remodel the ice arena. But City Manager Eric Levitt said after the meeting the remodeling plan would have to return to the council Monday, Feb. 9, because the terms of the agreement with Wisconsin Hockey Partners are not finalized.
Council member George Brunner was absent.
The annual cost over a 10-year note would be about $1.20 for the owner of the city's average home assessed at about $113,000.
The rink would be ready for summer camps.
Two council members mentioned selling beer during the games as one concern.
Bill McCoshen, a partner in Wisconsin Hockey Partners, said beer sales are a must to provide needed revenue.
"I'm for beer sales where minors are not interacting in (the same) space," councilman Bill Truman said.
Steeber said he's heard from people concerned about the mix of alcohol and ages of the young players, who will be 16 to 20 years old.
"I don't think that's insurmountable, but we have to be sensitive in our planning," he said.
McCoshen said areas of the rink could be designated for the sales and consumption of beer.
"We are not opening a tavern, we are starting a hockey team," McCoshen said. "Some of our fans will enjoy a beer or two during the game. It's not the corner bar where people go to drink."
While it appears the city is ready to drop the puck, McCoshen and his partners must decide if they want to take the financial risk.
The franchise fee is $200,000. The team must draw an average of 700 fans for each game, hoping to attract people from as far away as Madison and Rockford, Ill.
It also needs corporate sponsors.
"That's the biggest remaining challenge for us," McCoshen said.
The partners, who include Mark Cullen of Janesville, will decide by mid-February whether to go ahead with the venture.
McCoshen made a persuasive pitch for the team. He said residents would have a hand in naming it.
Janesville would be recognized as far west as Anchorage and would be featured in hockey publications, McCoshen said. The North American Hockey League is a "pretty prestigious league," he said.
Janesville would be one of the larger cities to host a team.
"For roughly the price of a movie ticket" residents would get to see high-level hockey played by skaters hoping to play at the college level or even in the National Hockey League, McCoshen said.
"Our business model will have primary focus on Wisconsin kids," he said.
The city probably would not make much money on the venture. The team would pay $40,000 in rental fees, but new expenses would offset the income. But Janesville Youth Hockey Association would make money selling concessions.
The team would create four, full-time jobs and some part-time jobs, especially on game nights. It also would draw fans and scouts into the city.
Summer camps would require overnight stays by players and their families.
"Mom and Dad need something to do when the kids are on the ice with the coaching staff," McCoshen said. "That's new dollars in here that wouldn't otherwise come to the community.
"This is something positive the community can wrap its arms around in … a rough time," McCoshen said.
"We think it could be done here.
"Obviously, if the economy were better, it would be a no-brainer."
WHAT THEY SAID
Janesville City Council members had the following to say Monday night about bringing a junior A hockey team to Janesville:
-- "Overall, looking at this, it would be good for the city. Out of 13 e-mails, I had two negatives. …. Even though the city may not make any money here, (the team would) bring people into the city of Janesville. (They) have to have a place to stop and eat and get gas."—Bill Truman
-- "Overall, the people I've had contact with regarding the possibility … have been positive. It's amazing how many hockey families are out there."—Russ Steeber
-- "I do feel that having a hockey team is economic development. I do believe it would be a good boost in the arm for morale in the city."—Yuri Rashkin
-- "I've been in Janesville my entire life, and it's always been the east side against the west site, Parker against Craig … It is very nice to see one sport where males and females, eastsiders and westsiders, are all coming together … I think this is money well spent."—Amy Loasching
-- "Public-private partnerships … (are) very important for future development in the city of Janesville … Will it create jobs? Yes, it will … I think this is really what our community needs. Not to minimize $200,000, but I think you can't put a price on what this is going to do for the youth in our community as well as families."—Kathy Voskuil
-- "One of the things we hear constantly is (to) take care of what we have. This is an opportunity where we can make an investment in one of our existing older facilities … As far as the hockey team, it's a great opportunity for the city."—Tom McDonald
City residents shared the following thoughts:
-- "Can we afford it now? How many nice new things can we afford with the economy in the tank? We are in a depression, not a recession. … heavily burdened citizens … are in dire straights. If we're not careful, our city may be asking for a bailout before long. I have nothing against hockey … I think there are a lot of other issues to look at."—Al Lembrich
-- "Yes, economic issues are facing all of us. But we have to look at the long term … What a terrific opportunity when our community needs everything we can (get) to pull together. (The team) will benefit us for the long run to make the ice arena a class operation and something the community can be very proud of … The soft return is, hockey becomes one of the things … that connects the community."—Larry Squire
Jan 28, 2009 at 9:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
ERStettin: Good post.
Jan 28, 2009 at 2:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
thekid,
I do not have a lack of knowledge on hockey. I still play the sport. I go to the Frozen Four every year and have a Junior A team in the suburb I live in. In addition, the nearby city has an NHL team. Some of the Junior A players play lunch time open hockey with us during the off season as well. Those kids are damn good, but the average div 1 college hockey player is better and the game is much faster (and it should be since they are generally older on average). Most of the kids are playing junior A so they can get noticed by college recruiters. I prefer to see the Div 1 college level game. You have proven your ignorance on the subject matter with your comment.
Jan 28, 2009 at 2:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
we will need a new rink instead of renovating. with a jr.a team and a high school team and all the youth teams that ice is going to get chewed up and worn out. we need a building with 2 sheets of ice in it. plus 700 people at a game? where in the hell are they going to park!!?? i am for a jr.a team but i think with youth hockey growing and seeing how bad the ice gets we really need a new rink and someone who can take better care of the ice. you also have to factor in practice times for the h.s. and jr.a team. there will be some h.s. kids on that team. who will practice when?
Jan 28, 2009 at 12:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
The benefits of having a Junior A Tier 2 team in Janesville for the very minimal cost to the community are immense.
1. Hockey familys spend money....alot of it. The more familys coming to Janesville to spend the night for games, the more money our hotels, restaurants, stores make in sales. Pack that arena with out of towners!
2. Our kids have the benefit of seeing and possibly participating in a level of hockey they have never experienced. This and the USHL are the stepping stones to Division 1 hockey. That is how it works.
3. The camps, on ice intstruction, and dreams of getting to this level for our kids, will motivate them to become better players. I have seen this in my own two kids and it is a GREAT motivating factor.
4. It will bring our community together just like the High School team does. Having our own team here in Janesville is going to be great for the community. Going to see a NAHL hockey game on a Friday or Saturday will be a nice event in this town. I know how fun it is to have something like this available for familys to gather together and rally behind. It is FUN!
5. The cost is nothing. We are talking about less than a dollar by some accounts for every Janesville resident over a 10 year note? If that is a correct number, this IS a no brainer.
It will not take long for familys in this community to see the benefit of having a team like this here in Janesville. This is truelly a step forward for this community and one in which my family and I are certainly looking forward to. I will be first in line for season tickets!
Ed Stettin
2643 Cumberland Drive
Jan 28, 2009 at 9:57 a.m.
Suggest removal
There are a lot of things "taxpayer dollars" fund that I don't take advantage of. But other people enjoy them.
Guess you can't make everyone happy, who would have thought?
I am glad that this is happening. Hopefully the benefits spill out into the community.
Jan 28, 2009 at 9:25 a.m.
Suggest removal
mr diplomat... ignorance should be bliss, but your lack of knowledge of the hockey culture is evident on this matter. This is not an "inferior" level hockey to start with, and people will travel from Madison, Monroe, and Rockford to see the team play. Thirty minutes for a hockey fan is nothing. Again, you may not understand this, but its true.
Jan 28, 2009 at 9:21 a.m.
Suggest removal
I think what most people are missing here is that the ice arena drastically needs to be updated regardless of a Junior A hockey team. This is a chance for that to happen. This is for the kids, the city and a sport that many kids are involved with. This keeps them out of trouble. These updates should have been done years ago. The city failed to do so when times were better. Now that times are tough, people are having a difficult time with it. Learn from past mistakes. The answer is not to let the ice arena go down in flames where it can't be used anymore. Please understand that side of things.
Jan 28, 2009 at 9:09 a.m.
Suggest removal
When we're cutting teachers and thus risking our kid's education and future, we should not pay any money into this. If it is likely to make so much money, then let the private sector do it. If the private sector isn't interested in it, then it's obviously not a money maker. I know people like their hockey, but I like sewing and don't expect the taxpayers to fund a quilting b or quilting expo.
I fear the United States is going the way of Rome -- circuses, circuses, circuses, or sports, sports, sports.
Jan 28, 2009 at 8:53 a.m.
Suggest removal
ilovehockey,
My post stated that many Madison residents would not be drawn down to Janesville for the Junior A team. Figuring in gas from Madison to Janesville and back would probably not justify the cost to see inferior play (yeah we can all save the comments on how much the UW team sucks this year). I made the comment in response to the sentence in the artice, "The team must draw an average of 700 fans for each game, hoping to attract people from as far away as Madison and Rockford, Ill."
Jan 28, 2009 at 7:55 a.m.
Suggest removal
Those of you comparing a Badger hockey game to this, really don't know much about hockey and should do some research.
Jan 27, 2009 at 10:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
madman- got ya loud and clear and your right there is no assurance that we will get the attendance and the team will do everything they say. But with attitudes like what is going on, people want it to fail before it gets off the ground. I for one would like to see the upgrades done even without the junior A team coming in. But if they did the improvements then people would complain about that. Atleast this way there is a chance of the team bringing in some revenue other than jacking up the cost for j-hawks hockey and open skate and mens league.
Jan 27, 2009 at 9:08 p.m.
Suggest removal
Synergy08...
...We could play the "what if" game all day and not get anything done. What if no one else likes hockey? What if everyone else thinks we should have football instead? What if...?
Do you get my point?
Now, I'm not saying that we should or shouldn't put up the cash for this...what I am saying is that we need to get some sort of assurance from the league that we aren't going to be the sole provider of cash. Let's say that if it's going to cost $200K for remodeling, they should either cough up 1/3 to 1/2 the money OR sign on for a minimum time frame that they will be here, with no outs.
Jan 27, 2009 at 8:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
Two summers ago, Janesville could have had the Gladiators (Semi-pro football) for free and now the city wants to spend over $200,000 to bring in a hockey team that will probably fold in 2 or three seasons? This is insane.
Jan 27, 2009 at 8:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
When I agreed with diplomat I wasn't trying to not support things coming to Janesville. I do think people will come to see them, but 700 a game, that seems an awful lot to expect; maybe at first it will happen, but in 5 years? I think it would have been more appropriate to look at existing programs that may need the funding. Anyway, if it does happen I wish it luck.
Jan 27, 2009 at 5:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
They will bring people from over Iowa, Minnesota, and probably scouting agents from colleges. Even pro scouters.
Jan 27, 2009 at 5:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
the first paragraph is an opinion, hey. that is what was thought the semi-pro football team would bring, hey. the taxpayers are getting stung for a program that the intended hope willd draw 700 fans per game to make the venture profitable, another estimate opinion, hey. we spend the money, we get a team,they stink up the ice and no one will go, hey. the taxpayers money down the drain, like the beer they hope to sell to the few who only want one or two. first, no money is made off of people who only want one beer. many multiple sales to the heavy hitters is what drives the alcohol profit. that said, all this stuff should be put to a taxpayer vote, there should be a monitary amount, say $100 that drives a vote. while it won't ever happen, i can only dream. in essence, it is the TAXPAYER who is going to the PENALTY BOX on this one. while they are looking for sponsors, maybe they should write or call gm, hey, hey, hey.....
Jan 27, 2009 at 4:29 p.m.
Suggest removal
Two council members expressed a concern about beer sales.
Why is this a concern? Over the years Janesville has lost a lot of tourist and local dollars due to this utopian view of beer.
Somewhere in the political psyche of the city hiarchy is this concept that children should be shielded from people drinking beer.
This in a town where weddings, Packer parties, family get-togethers, and graduation parties all occur regularily and there are adults drinking beer in front of children at almost every one of them.
Where has this attitude toward beer taken us?
We don't have the Snappers. 4th of July at Traxler park loses money because of the rope maze involved in obtaining beer.
I, like many others, spend a lot of time at Beloit's events. Music at Harry's place, The Snappers, Riverfest, and the downtown Summer Party all serve beer. I don't go because they serve beer, which I seldom drink, but because of a certain atmosphere that accompanies a place where people are free to have fun.
The problem with the city government is the fear that someone is having fun and drinking beer without city oversight.
Jan 27, 2009 at 3:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
Besides coming to see a game from out of town, what if your kid played or a family member. you wouldnt go see him play to support him, or are you a single guy with no kids and complaining just to hear yourself. Get real it wont cost you that much to have this team here and its not gonna hurt you either, maybe try supporting things in janesville and you wont have to complain about new things. HOLY COW and IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jan 27, 2009 at 2:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
thediplomat, I disagree. A Badger hockey ticket is $22, parking $5-10, and then the gas to get there. JR A ticket $9, no parking and irrelevent amount of gas. For a family of 4, that is a big savings. While we will probably still attend a Badger game or two, it will be much more affordable to see the Jr A team.
Jan 27, 2009 at 1:08 p.m.
Suggest removal
A big thanks to the city council for opening the door to a local opportunity. Currently, you have to drive to Madison, Milwaukee, or Rockford to spend money on sports entertainment. Many Janesville people even drive to Beloit in the summer to see Class A minor league baseball. Likewise, I'm sure people will come from other communities to see hockey in Janesville now.
Jan 27, 2009 at 12:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
I have to agree with you diplomat. I am not sure junior hockey will bring people to Janesville when they have the Badgers in Madison. I know people who would still drive to Madison from Janesville to watch the Badgers -- they are a big draw. Plus, the city is not in good shape, just recently they were talking about cutting services, they cannot afford to run the plows regularly and they are going to start charging for Rotary Gardens. I have nothing against hockey and think that in a different economic time this might be a great idea, but, maybe the council should consider keeping or improving existing services before adding something on a hope and a dream.
Jan 27, 2009 at 12:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
I doubt the hocky team will bring people from Madison. They can see D1 college hockey for just a little more. In fact after figuring in gas, it is probably almost the same price.
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.