Can group lure sports to village?
Hoffman Estates trustees hope $20,000 will help a marketing group attract amateur sports to the Sears Centre and stimulate local tourism.
It's hoped that the establishment of the Northwest Suburban Chicago Sports Council could even lead to the village hosting Olympic events if Chicago wins its bid to host the 2016 Summer Games.
"The Sears Centre, at the very least, has the potential to be used for a training or practice facility," council Executive Director Lou Mengsol said. "Who knows what else could be in store?"
The Hoffman Estates village board gave a tentative nod last week to providing $20,000 to help kick-start the council. The 11,000-seat Sears Centre arena opened in 2006 at Prairie Stone Business Park.
Village Manager Jim Norris said a dedicated group was needed to help draw sporting events to the venue. The hope is such events would draw large crowds who would then bring business to restaurants and hotels and help the village's economy.
"To bring heads to the beds, as they say," Norris said.
He said the council would help organize the village's resources and put it in a better position to host any Olympic events.
A more immediate goal, though, is for the council to lure the Amateur Athletic Union women's basketball and karate tournaments.
Sears Centre Executive Director Jeff Bowen said the arena isn't contributing money toward the council. However, he's excited about opportunities it might create.
"Anything that draws attention to this part of the country and to the building itself is good PR and marketing," he said.
Bowen, who previously worked for Indianapolis' Conseco Fieldhouse, said a similar group there was of great benefit.
Norris suggested the group could expand to include other suburban venues like the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center. That could help both venues and communities, he said.
Schaumburg isn't currently involved in the fledgling council, Mayor Al Larson said.
Fran Bolson, president of the Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau, said the new council would work in cooperation with her sports marketing department but would ultimately be under the control of Hoffman Estates. Mengsol himself used to work for the convention bureau.
The Hoffman Estates Park District also has pledged $8,000 in seed money, as district facilities could also be used. Park board President Scott Triphahn is vice chairman of the sports council. He said the group already has the support of hotels and restaurants.
"The purpose of the sports council is to be able to set up a network where we can bring different types of sporting events -- whether it be youth or elite athletes -- to Hoffman Estates," he said.
The council also hopes to convince Alexian Brothers Health Network to become a sponsor. The hospital system has sponsored major athletic events, like the Tour of Elk Grove bike race, that support a healthy lifestyle.
Besides the Cabela's store that opened last week, plans for Hoffman Estates' Prairie Stone area include two hotels, the Prairie Creek amphitheater, a water park, a movie theater and other new retailers like Starbucks.