Libertyville tunes sports complex for concert venue
LIBERTYVILLE -- Village officials are looking to market the Libertyville Sports Complex as more than just a place to play indoor soccer or basketball. Their expanded vision calls for concerts, conferences and corporate events.
The facility has been under some scrutiny because of the deficits associated with the whole complex, which also includes a golf driving range and miniature golf course.
(Special to the News-Sun)
Tickets are free for the concert starring Dierks Bentley and special guests Michelle Branch and Chasin Mason. The concert Nov. 7 starts at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m. It is standing room only.
The only way to get tickets is to go to a Bud Light Dierks Bentley Ticket Tour Stop. Make it to all four stops on the ticket tour and turn in your completed Official Stamp Card and receive a pair of tickets to the show while supplies last. You must be 21 to enter and present to win.
On Oct. 29, you will need to go to following Antioch spots: Sequoit Creek Lodge, 899 Main St., from 8 to 8:30 p.m., The Limerick, 912 Toft Ave., from 8:45 to 9:15 p.m., Anastasia's, 438 Lake St., from 9:30 to 10 p.m., and Double Play, 950 Hillside Ave., from 10:15 to 11 p.m
Heather Rowe, Libertyville's economic development coordinator, said a concert featuring country-western star Dierks Bentley on Nov. 7 will be the first time officials have tried this type of event at the complex's main building. They have had business expos in the past.
"This is the first concert on this scale," she said, explaining the hardwood area south of the climbing wall will be the space used for the concert. The concert is part of a Bud Light series of free ticket concerts and is being sponsored by Mark Khayat of Austin's Saloon, known for its live entertainment.
To get the free tickets you need to go to the country radio station US 99's Web site at www.us99.com or Austin's Web site, fuelroom.com . There are daily ticket promotions and events such as the Antioch run next week.
"The hope is we might be able to use our facility for additional events," Rowe said, filling in gaps in the complex's schedule. The village will make money off the lease for the facility, concessions, banner advertising and display areas. At the concert, an automobile dealership will have a new-car display. The complex will also charge for parking and keep that as revenue.
Income at the sports facility is down slightly, but the other two entities, the Family Entertainment Center and Golf Learning Center, have not been generating enough revenue and are now going up on auction. The village has had to cover the facility's $7 million deficit.
The auction needs to generate $16 million to make the complex self-sufficient, said Village Administrator Kevin Bowens.
