County Committee Approves Funds for MetroCentre Improvements

Rockford, Illinois- $23 million in improvements means an updated facade, luxury box seating, and renovations to the playing surface of the MetroCentre. It also means $450 thousand a year for the next 20 years for the Winnebago County Board. The funding mechanism is bonds and the plan was approved, but several board members wonder why this is pushed through the board so quickly. "I think things should be done business like and that means getting all your ducks in a row," says County Board Member L.C. Wilson, who was the only vote against the funding. The MetroCentre authorities don`t have the agreement finalized that would make the Ice Hogs the Chicago Blackhawks farm team. But they say approval is needed so they don`t send the message to the Chicago Blackhawks that Rockford isn`t interested in their American Hockey League affiliation. But some board members don`t believe the team would make more money than the current Ice Hogs organizations. "All the evidence that Ive seen so far indicates it`s going to cost about three times as much to run an AHL hockey team which means they`d have to have revenue three times as much," says County Board Member Pete McKay. And that`s a risk some county board members and staff are willing to take and they see the possibilities. "Companies and people from out of town will want to come here hopefully make weekend packages for them so they can come stay at a hotel," says Winnebago County Director of Economic Development Sue Mroz. "I see all kinds of marketing potential for this." The funding mechanism still has to be approved by the full county board. The city council also has to approve extending their current contribution of just over $900,000 a year.