JANESVILLE, Wis. (WMTV) – A brand-new sports and convention center is set to open its doors in Janesville this weekend – and city leaders say it could make a big impact on Janesville’s economy.
The 140,000 square foot Woodman’s Sports and Convention Center is designed to be the city’s new hub for sports, entertainment and events. The center is complete with two ice rinks, indoor sports courts, a large conference room and more.
City leaders said the project cost just under $50 million, but the money is an investment into the community. Much of the funds were raised through community partnerships.
“We know that every person who comes here, whether they’re coming for a basketball game, or a meeting, or convention, they’re going to sleep here, they’re going to eat here, they’re going to forget that item and run to a local store,” Christine Rebout, Executive Director of Janesville’s Convention and Visitors Bureau said. “They’re going to have an opportunity to experience Janesville while they’re here for those other reasons.”
Kevin Lahner, Janesville’s City Manager, said this is just one of the city’s efforts to attract more people to Janesville.
“This is the first of many different projects,” Lahner said. “Another one that is currently being constructed is the Children’s Museum of Rock County, that’s right downtown. So again, just bringing more folks to support our local economy.”
Rebout said the project is expected to bring in more than $20 million in economic impact to Janesville.
“It is an investment, because everyone benefits,” she said. “Whether you’re a waitress who gets that extra tip and now she’s going to do an addition on her house and hire a carpenter, that economic impact will truly flow throughout the community.”
City leaders say the center will also bring people together across city lines and put Janesville on the map.
“It’s right in the middle of everything,” said Tony Thiry, the center’s general manager. “You’ve got Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago. It should be a central hub for all of these larger cities to come together.”
The center is free to enter this weekend and opens at noon on Saturday. People can enjoy ice skating, interactive tours of the facility, open courts and more. A link to the schedule can be found here.
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