Summary
Year one brought 288,000 visitors and $8.5 million in direct economic impact but a $177,000 operating loss. The Janesville Jets say their ice fees jumped from $59,000 to over $320,000 and are asking the council to rebalance the lease to keep the team in Janesville.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 3
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 12, 2026.
Impact analysis
The facility needed a city subsidy of about $95,000 in 2025 and $67,500 through August 2026, with a projected ~$110,000 room tax contribution offsetting losses.
Hockey players, event attendees, nearby businesses along Milton Avenue, and the broader community through sports tourism.
Taxpayers absorb the operating subsidy, and the Jets face costs they say threaten the team's sustainability.
Mentions & discussions (3)
City Council Meeting - Oct 12, 2026
Council members voiced frustration about getting Woodman's Center financials a year at a time and asked staff for simple one-page quarterly reports on revenue and expenses. Staff agreed to provide them.
City Council Meeting - Sep 28, 2026
Year one brought 288,000 visitors and $8.5 million in direct economic impact but a $177,000 operating loss. The Janesville Jets say their ice fees jumped from $59,000 to over $320,000 and are asking the council to rebalance the lease to keep the team in Janesville.
Youth sports building boom continues as the $46.7M Woodman’s Sports & Convention Center opens in Wisconsin
Youth sports building boom continues as the $46.7M Woodman’s Sports & Convention Center opens in Wisconsin Sports Business Journal
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