Bloomington arena reports annual $674K loss

Posted on July 10, 2017
U.S. Cellular Coliseum
A sign crew removed the U.S. Cellular sign on the front of the Coliseum in June (Photo by Howard Packowitz/WJBC)

By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington’s downtown arena lost $674,000 in its first year under new management.

Officials for VenuWorks will report to the City Council on Monday night on its first year in operation of the recently renamed Grossinger Motors Arena. Iowa-based VenuWorks took over management of the former Coliseum in April 2016.

Documents provided by the city show the arena posted $2.6 million in profits, while expenses totaled $3.3 million.

Those numbers are similar to the losses reported in previous years by the prior management company, Central Illinois Arena Management and don’t include debt service on the construction bonds which paid the facility to be built.

CIAM ran the venue for the first 10 years of operation before the city chose not to renew its contract.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

 

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