Bloomington City Manager looking to turn Grossinger Motors Arena around; hiring new entertainment director

Posted on March 15, 2022
Over the past year, Gleason said the city explored various options, including selling the arena. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – A year after the City of Bloomington took over management of Grossinger Motors Arena, the city’s manager is on the lookout for an entertainment director.

Last year, the city and VenuWorks agreed to terminate their contract due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In return, the city took over the management with existing city staff.

“We are actually wrapping up the creation of the job description for an entertainment director that would oversee both the arena and the BCPA; we plan on posting that. And the entertainment portion is one that we will likely hire an outside source that does the booking; you know the different acts. We’ve got local interest, and in that local interest, we have local talent that could possibly do this.”

However, Manager Gleason said he’s encouraged about the arena despite the negative outlook from the community.

“I’m encouraged by the arena,” Gleason told WJBC’s, Scott Miller. “I know the community has a strong possibly negative opinion about it, and I understand that. But I’m going to say, ‘give me 6-12 months, and I think we are going to turn it around.'”

LISTEN: Bloomington City Manager Tim Gleason spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller.

According to City Manager Tim Gleason, the city explored various options, including looking at selling the arena.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…