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JANESVILLE – A Rock County Board committee has pulled funding for the planned Woodman’s Sports and Convention Center in Janesville out of the county’s proposed 2024 budget.

JANESVILLE – A Rock County Board committee has shot down the idea of putting the Woodman’s Sports and Convention Center in Janesville to a countywide referendum.

JANESVILLE — In a 5-2 vote, the Janesville City Council has approved borrowing $17.3 million for the Woodman's Sports and Convention Center.

If it’s built and run under current plans, a consultant estimates the Woodman’s Sports and Convention could operate in the red every year through at least 2028.

JANESVILLE – Capping hours-long debate that stretched late into Tuesday evening, the Rock County Board has approved a 2023 budget that sharply draws down the county’s fund balance to reduce local property taxes.

The Janesville City Council likely will vote this spring on whether to roll ahead with the Woodman’s Sports and Convention Center—but not until a new council is seated after an election in April.

City officials and private stakeholders remained committed to the idea of building an ice arena and conference center at Uptown Janesville as consultants work to shave millions off a new $60 million estimated price tag.

It's not clear whether many small trims or a few massive cuts might be in order, but Janesville city officials and private stakeholders on Tuesday found consensus on this: a preliminary cost of nearly $60 million for the proposed Woodman’s Sports & Convention Center is a nonstarter.