The new Woodman’s Sports & Convention Center (WSCC) marks a strategic shift to establish the City of Janesville as a regional hub for sports, conventions, conferences, and large events. The goal of WSCC was to develop a versatile facility accommodating various uses and stakeholders.
A former Sears anchor store in the Janesville Mall will be demolished and a one-story facility with a mezzanine will be built in its place. The ice rink in the main arena will host the Janesville Jets hockey team and up to 1,500 spectators, replacing the original Janesville Ice Arena built in 1974. A flex space of 25,800 sq. ft. will host conventions, banquets, trade shows and a variety of other large events. The convertible space will also support multiple basketball, volleyball, pickleball courts, as well as a turf soccer field and more. A multipurpose arena, which will be an additional adjustable space for sports, conferences, and events, will support 250 guests.
Temporary flooring, divider walls and portable equipment are key elements that will enable WSCC to easily transform to accommodate its diverse range of uses. Design considerations also include transportation paths and a storage room to house equipment used in the transformation process.
With the Woodman’s Sports & Convention Center, Janesville aims to revitalize retail areas, boost the local economy, and enhance property values, enabling the city to capture their investment over time. The center positions Janesville as a recreational and convention destination, fostering public-private partnerships for sustainability and economic impact. The project is expected to bring 228 new jobs and a $23 million annual boost to the local economy, according to Wisconsin Public Radio.
