BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (AP) - The city of Bloomington has chosen an Iowa company to operate the city-owned, 7,000-seat U.S. Cellular Coliseum.
City Manager David Hales on Wednesday said Ames, Iowa-based VenuWorks was chosen for the job. He recommended the city council vote Monday to hire the firm. It would replace Central Illinois Arena Management, which didn't seek to renew its contract. That company managed the coliseum since it opened a decade ago. Its contract expires April 1.
There have been ongoing disputes between Central Illinois Arena Management and the city.
Mayor Tari Renner calls the Iowa company "a fresh, new perspective" and said they will provide "dynamic leadership."
The contract is for three years and provides VenuWorks with 5 percent of gross concessions and a management fee of $114,000 annually.
