2021-1926 RESOLUTION NO. 2021-1926
A resolution authorizing the design of an Indoor Athletic and Conference Center
and approving the appropriation of American Rescue Plan Act funding.
WHEREAS, the Common Council previously commissioned a feasibility study and
business plan, in partnership with the Janesville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
(JACVB) for a potential indoor athletic complex; and
WHEREAS, the feasibility study and business plan concluded that there is overall,
measurable unmet demand for a potential new indoor athletic and recreation facility and
they identified a market-supportable scenario with one main ice sheet, one secondary
ice sheet with removable ice, and 20,000 sf of flexible space that will have positive net
operating income and will lead to increased community economic output, personal
earnings and employment; and
WHEREAS, an indoor athletic and conference center would be a valuable resource for
the community by accommodating and supporting the expansion of local sports,
recreation, events and activities; driving sports tourism; providing an opportunity for
trade shows, conventions and expos; and
WHEREAS, an indoor athletic and conference center will create a minimum of $10
million in economic impact and a $4 million increase in personal earnings annually by
year five; and
WHEREAS, the JACVB has made a commitment of $25,000 towards the design of an
athletic and conference center, a total of 10% of their Janesville room tax revenue for
financial support of the sales and marketing portion of operations for 5 years, and in-
kind sales and marketing support valued at approximately $45,000; and
WHEREAS, the Friends of the Janesville Athletic & Conference Center have obtained
private sector commitments of $50,000 towards the design of an athletic and
conference center; and
WHEREAS, Rockstep has provided a letter of intent to donate property at Uptown
Janesville to serve as the site of the center; and
WHEREAS, the City will receive $11,686,560 from the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund
(LFRF) and has an unallocated balance of $4 million in American Rescue Plan Act
(ARPA) funding as a result of lost revenue; and
WHEREAS, Under the ARPA program, the City has broad latitude to use this funding to
support government services; and
WHEREAS, the project would result in positive economic impact to businesses and
industries that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and build
community resiliency by expanding health and wellness initiatives; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL of the City of
Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin, that staff is authorized to move forward to
undertake the design of the indoor athletic and conference center and that two million
and no/100 dollars ($2,000,000) from the Local Fiscal Recovery Fund be allocated and
reserved for the design and construction of an indoor athletic and conference center.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL of
the City of Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin, that the City Manager and his
designee(s), on behalf of the City of Janesville, is/are hereby authorized and
empowered to negotiate, draft, modify, review, execute, and enter into additional
agreements, understandings, and arrangements, to make modifications thereto, and to
take whatever other actions as the City Manager may determine, from time to time and
at any time, necessary and/or desirable to effectuate the intent of this Resolution,
project, and/or public purposes.
ADOPTED: October 25, 2021 Motion by: Benson
Second by: Marshick
APPROVED:// Atit—
Councilmember Aye Nay Pass Absent
Benson X
Mark A. eitag, City Manager Jackson X
Johnson X
ATTEST: Marklein X
Marshick X
Miller X
Lorena Rae Stottler, City Clerk-Treasurer Williams X
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Wald Klimczy , City Attorney
Proposed by: Neighborhood & Community Services Dept.
Prepared by: Jennifer Petruzzello, Neighborhood &
Community Services Director