GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A premiere sports facility for ice skating, volleyball, and basketball is officially open in Grand Chute.
Community First Champion Center has been in the works for years and the future looks bright.
The multi-million dollar will certainly attract athletes.
Neenah’s JV hockey team the first on the ice. The rink has seats for 1,000 people.
A second ice rink in the facility’s seasonal arena can be turned into basketball and volleyball when it warms up.
The space is just one unique aspect of the facility and, in fact, officials say this multi-use arena is the first of it’s kind in the country, primarily because it’s youth-focused.
Champion Center’s Matt Ten Hakentells FOX 11 all that, and a separate field house with permanent hardwood courts, prove this is no cookie-cutter venue.
“We looked at about two to three dozen facilities across the midwest and, really, across the nation and took bits and pieces of the design from those facilities that we liked, and incorporated it into this facility.”
A private ribbon-cutting Wednesday recognized the Fox Valley municipalities that helped foot the Champion Center’s $30 million bill.
Grand Chute Town Chairman David Schowalter tells FOX 11 this is unusual.
“To get 10 communities together to put something like this together is absolutely amazing; it’s amazing that it could take place.”
Haken says the facility could pay for itself in a few years.
“We have nearly 50 events on the books, we’re well on our way to meeting our goal of 20,000 hotel room nights and over $8 million in economic impact by the end of 2020.”
And it’s expected to drive tourism in a big way.
“We have groups already signed to tournaments from as far away as St. Louis, Indianapolis, and I think it will grow, as the reputation of the facility grows,” said Pam Seidel, executive director of the Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“We’ll begin, not only being a Wisconsin or upper midwest draw, but a national draw.”
The Champion Center is being funded by hotel and motel room tax revenues.
You can get inside to see it with your own eyes from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. today.
