Concerts coming to Libertyville Sports Complex

Can country music help cure the blues at the Libertyville Sports Complex?

Village leaders will give it a try Nov. 7, hosting country star Dierks Bentley with pop rock singer Michelle Branch and grass roots favorites Chasin' Mason.

While non-sports related activities are regularly scheduled for the cavernous Indoor Sports Complex, a mainstream concert is new territory.

But in a slumping economy and debt to pay on the village-owned sports complex, officials are willing to consider more options.

"This is an opportunity to explore the possibilities," said James Zych, parks and recreation director. "You can't leave any stone unturned and that's the approach we're taking."

The concert represents a partnership between the village; Mark Khayat, owner of Austin's Saloon & Eatery; country radio station US-99; and Budweiser. Tickets are free. Only those 21 and older will be admitted. Visit US99.com or fuelroom.com.

"We're planning for 3,500 people," Zych said. The capacity is 4,500.

Austin's and Budweiser will be responsible for costs associated with the setup and production of the concert, including the 30- by 54-foot stage on the south side of the signature rock climbing wall. The village will charge $10 for parking and also hopes to make money from food, vendors and advertising.

Area corporate leaders and convention and party planners will be on the VIP list.

The intent is to break even or possibly make money on the event - and to market the facility to people who might want to use it in the future.

"Hopefully this will lead into more corporate memberships, more trade shows, (and) more conventions," said Village Trustee Todd Gaines, who worked with Khayat on the event.

At 169,000 square feet, the Indoor Sports Complex, featuring eight basketball/volleyball courts, two soccer fields, a 28-foot climbing wall and other amenities, has been the workhorse of the Sports Complex, which spans 48 acres at Route 45 and Peterson Road.

But the other two components, the Golf Learning Center and Family Entertainment Center, have not fared as well. Both are now for sale.

In 2002, the village approved $25 million in bonds to buy the land and build the complex, which was supposed to generate enough money to pay for itself. Together, the three facilities have fallen about $7 million short of covering debt payments.

The indoor portion continues to exceed expectations, however, and is in the upper 10 percent of municipal facilities in terms of recovering costs, a report for the village prepared last summer found. But it hasn't been enough, and cost cutting has reached its limit.

"This is a very critical issue," said Village Administrator Kevin Bowens. "We've been cutting and cutting and cutting and now we have to try and come up with new revenue sources for the facility."

Marketing and re-branding the indoor sports complex is a goal of the village board. Finding a college class to take it on as a marketing project has been suggested.

Meanwhile, deadline for a sealed bid auction for the golf and family entertainment facilities, which together occupy 30 acres, is Nov. 3. There is no set asking price and village officials do not have to accept any offer. No bids had been received as of Friday.

Depending on the numbers, a sale could relieve the village of a heavy debt burden that has adversely affected the overall budget. But receiving an offer close to the appraised value in the current real estate market is likely a long shot.

"I would love to see the sale of it but let's plan for the worst case scenario in case we're stuck with it," Gaines said.

Mayor Terry Weppler on Tuesday is expected to announce a new seven-member marketing committee, whose directive will be to increase village revenue, including from the Sports Complex.

Village leaders hope the concert will set the stage for future high-profile acts.

"We see the (new Lake County) fairgrounds getting into that so we want to be in the market as well," Gaines said.

Khayat said the chance to host Bentley "was kind of a gimme for us," but because of the size of anticipated crowd and a desire to help the community, he went another route.

"This is a guy who plays arenas normally," he said of Bentley, who has two platinum albums. Branch won a Grammy Award for her collaboration with Carlos Santana on the 2002 single "The Game of Love."

"I kind of feel people have to start becoming part of government instead of looking the other way and complaining," Khayat said. "Libertyville has been really good to us and I thought more people could benefit."