Hoffman Estates adjusts to owning arena

When Hoffman Estates took ownership of the Sears Centre, village officials weren't clear how they would make decisions about the arena.

The village board lacked experience in the arena industry. That lack of experience doomed the Ryan Cos., the arena's original owner. Ryan, a Minnesota-based developer, lacked showbiz contacts as the Sears Centre was its first foray in the arena business.

But over the last year, Assistant Village Manager Mark Koplin has helped oversee the village's transition in taking over the 11,000-seat arena. Ryan left late last year after failing to make a profit. Trustee Gary Pilafas said at Tuesday night's committee meeting that the arena performed exceedingly well in the first quarter. With that momentum, trustees voted to make Koplin the village's interim owner's representative to the Sears Centre. Past reports state that despite projecting a $1.2 million loss in 2010, the Sears Centre is now on pace to lose $950,000, a victory for village officials and arena management.

Koplin won't be performing any new duties. Village Manager James Norris noted that Koplin's responsibilities were shifted to other village staff when he was assigned to work on the arena. He also won't be making any more salary.

"As far as I know," Pilafas said.

The village has seen less development because of the economy, which made giving Koplin arena-related work more sense. However, Trustee Cary Collins raised the question if Koplin had enough industry knowledge to represent the village. Collins advocated retaining arena consultant Joe Briglia, who worked with the village negotiating a contract with Comcast's Global Spectrum, which runs the building on the village's behalf.

Trustee Raymond Kincaid said Briglia's wages, at $175 per hour, were too high. The village capped that fee at $10,000. Another consideration was that during the warmer months of the year in the summer, more bands play outdoors. It's typically a slower time for arenas, so that would make it easier for Koplin.

In keeping with his concerns on experience, Collins voted against making Koplin the representative. Collins also said he didn't think anybody at the village did a good job with the Sears Centre.

Next week the village board will discuss whether to form smaller subcommittees to discuss specific Sears Centre topics, like ticketing and parking. Under the smaller committees, more board members and volunteers from community could leave their input, Pilafas said.