Weber Center denied a break on paying city fees

Will a performing arts center in La Crosse get a break from City Hall on having to pay an annual bill?  Maybe not. 

The city’s finance committee has turned down a request by the Weber Center to waive a $27,000 yearly payment for municipal services, because of hardships due to COVID-19. 

Council member Roger Christians says the center, which is home to the La Crosse Community Theatre, has gone almost a year without putting on events that bring in an audience.  

It was March of last year when lots of businesses in La Crosse shut down suddenly, to hold off COVID-19.  The La Crosse Community Theatre ended a play’s run two nights early, and hasn’t had an audience back in the Weber Center since then.  

Meanwhile, the outdoor cafe program in La Crosse has been a hit during the past year,