ASHWAUBENON, WISCONSIN (WTAQ) – If a consultant’s recommendation is followed, the Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena will get torn down.
On Monday, County officials heard the findings of a study that looked into redevelopment options for the Arena and the adjoining Shopko Hall facility, both of which are nearing the ends of their lifespan.
David Stone of AECOM Economics laid out four options: a $30,000,000 renovation and three plans that call for a rebuild.
Stone says construction on an 86,400 square foot facility would cost $63,000,000-$65,000,000, a 100,800 square foot building would range from $71,000,000-$75,000,000, and a 122,400 square foot structure would cost $81,000,000-$85,000,000.
However, Stone says an additional 20% needs to be added on to each of those figures once other costs are taken into consideration.
The study also highlighted a number of problems with the current buildings. In addition to poor connectivity between the two facilities, it noted issues with the current interior systems, concessions and restroom areas, and loading docks.
Stone says none of those are close to what would be expected in a “modern facility.”
He recommended rebuilding, as a renovation would be a “band-aid” that would not address the lack of space or connectivity issues.
According to Stone, construction could be done in phases to ensure the entire building does not need to shut down for a two year period. He says the shell of Shopko Hall could be saved while the Arena would be torn down and completely replaced.
Stone says the goal is to create a space that could house multiple events at once.
County Executive Troy Streckenbach says something needs to be done as the venues had an operating deficit of $245,000 in 2015.
He supports the largest rebuild option, saying that could allow the property to have an annual economic impact of roughly $13,000,000.
Streckenbach says funding sources could include the room tax and excess funds from the Lambeau Field sales tax.
When asked what’s next, Streckenbach said the county board needs to have serious discussions in 2017 about the future of the two buildings.
The Brown County Arena opened in 1958, and Shopko Hall opened its door in 1986.
