ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – Rockford City Council members are viewing the competition between downtown entertainment venues and the Hard Rock Casino Rockford as a “McDonald’s or Burger King” dilemma.
“Customers have a choice,” says Craig Thomas, chairman of the Rockford Area Venue and Entertainment Authority (or RAVE). “That’s what we’re facing here.”
The situation comes as RAVE, the authority that oversees the BMO Center and Coronado Theater, achieved record revenue of $4,358,279 last fiscal year. Councilman Frank Beach (R-10) believes that revenue will increase as tourists flock to Forest City for performances.
โRockford is a place where they can enjoy quality entertainment at an affordable price,โ Ald. beach. โI hope theyโre there.โ [downtown] We eat dinner and then go back to where they live. โ
On Monday, RAVE presented its annual report to City Council members. In addition to detailing this year’s highlights and revenues, entertainment leaders echoed concerns seen at recent board meetings, including how a new casino will impact downtown venues. Ta.
As Hard Rock completed its first month, authorities reported their first findings. Coronado will lose half of its regular shows to Hard Rock, and event revenue is expected to drop by $730,000, with an estimated operating loss of $318,000. The loss follows a year in which BMO and Coronado posted operating profits of $359,000.
Councilman Isidro Barrios (D-11) welcomes the contest, believing it to be a win for Rockford residents and area visitors. The city councilman is not surprised by the casino’s impact.
โItโs all about connection,โ says Aldo. Barrios about performers heading to a hard rock gig. โHard Rock Casino has connections.โ
Complicating cross-town competition for venues is the city’s vested interest in Coronado. Rockford has owned this historic building since 1997. Gretchen Gilmore, RAVE’s general manager, said the theater is about the same size as Hard Rock, so reservations are limited. Performers.
โWe still get asked to spend a lot of money in Coronado,โ confesses Councilman Kevin Frost (R-4th). “I’d like to see it maintained like a classic car.”
Hard Rock Casino Rockford President Geno Iafrate told WIFR in a statement that the company is committed to “working with BMO and Coronado to solidify Rockford as an entertainment destination.”
For Gilmore, one of the improvements proposed to level the city’s entertainment sector is a nearly $500,000 sound system upgrade. RAVE’s general manager claims some artists are moving toward hard rock based on its “best” public address system.
“You’re not going to get 100% because you can’t offer $200,000, but it definitely helps,” Gilmore insists. There were no votes from City Council at Monday’s “planning meeting,” but some leaders expressed support for the upgrade.
Aldo. Beach is asking for patience before making further assumptions. He said Hard Rock has only been in Rockford for a month.
Councilors did not provide further updates on the entertainment tax approved by the commission. Aldo. Talks between Barrios and Beach State continue behind the scenes to “keep everyone happy.”
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