Artist rendering of 'The River' concert venue. Image courtesy: The River
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — A proposed concert hall in Wausau could allow the city to bring in shows that currently pass by as they go from the Twin Cities to Green Bay, Milwaukee, or Chicago.
Joe Ellis says he currently sees too many people driving hours in each direction to catch their favorite bands because there’s no place for them to play in Central Wisconsin. “The bulk of the professional touring market, what you hear on the radio, are playing venues [that can hold] between 3,000 and 4,500 people, standing-room-only facilities,” said Ellis. “That’s a market that will be within reach with a venue like this. Particularly where we live people are driving two, three, four hours to see these artists.”
Ellis is working with Anna Herman on the proposed facility, which is currently called “The River.” He says they don’t have a location or a parcel of land to build on just yet, but he wants it to be somewhere in Wausau near the Riverlife area.
He expects all kinds of artists will make the venue part of their tours. “I think country is going to be popular around our area. We will do rock, pop, or the large Christian acts that have been out of reach. Even bands that used to play arenas like Lady A, Jason Mraz, or some of the big blues artists.
“[We’ll accommodate] virtually any genre,” added Ellis.
The proposal currently includes space for 3,500 spectators including premium seating options. The 58,000-square-foot facility would also include commercial rental and retail space and a lobby/reception area in addition to the multi-level concert hall. Plans also include enough infrastructure above the stage to accommodate touring arena shows, which Ellis says could be a unique wrinkle.
“[We will mold] some of what is on and above the stage after those arenas. So we’re hoping we can grab some of those artists who will play an arena show in Chicago [who may have] a couple of days off before their show in Minneapolis. We’ll pull them in so they can play a nice, intimate show here in Wausau,” said Ellis. “That would be pretty exciting- and artists [have done] that.”
Ellis and Herman plan to meet with Wausau’s Economic Development Committee next Tuesday, June 6th to discuss the proposal. Ideally, he would like to find the land and begin construction this fall. If that happens the first concert at the facility could be in the fall of 2024.
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