More details are emerging about a proposed arena in Racine, including potential interest from the USHL.
What has been evident in recent months is that Racine is a contender for a Milwaukee Bucks D-League team. As one of several Wisconsin communities involved in the bidding, Racine is floating a concept for a new arena that would seat 3,800 and include an adjacent 135-room hotel.
This plan has kept Racine in the running for the Bucks, but apparently an unidentified owner from the USHL is monitoring the situation. Should the arena come to fruition, it possible that the USHL could become another tenant, and that is something that Racine County board members are being urged to consider. More from the Racine Journal-Times:
Two tenants would make an arena viable and be a boon to Downtown, drawing an estimated 300,000 people a year with an annual economic impact of $13 million, [International Coliseums Company president Rick] Kozuback said.
“If the building’s managed right, it brings people Downtown,” he said. “The people coming Downtown spend money.”
Kozuback emphasized the facility would be a multi-purpose venue and host other activities — like concerts, trade shows, conventions and conferences — besides sports.
“If it’s going to get built, it has to be able to be flexible so that no one in the community feels like, ‘you’ve forgotten about us,’” he said.
Currently, the arena has an estimated cost–$40 million–and a location at Lake Avenue and Gas Light Drive. However, there are still some questions about how the venue would be funded, which Racine County board members are expected to discuss next week. In addition to Racine, the Bucks are also reported to be considering options in Grand Chute (Appleton/Fox Cities), Oshkosh, and Sheboygan.
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