La Crosse Center leaders preparing to interview possible management companies for building

With the La Crosse Center director getting ready to retire this month, a special panel is planning to meet with companies interested in operating the civic center.

Members of a management subcommittee are trying to figure out how a private firm could meet the Center’s needs.

La Crosse Parks, Recreation and Forestry director Jay Odegaard, who sits on the study committee, said an out-of-town company might be good at finding new employees or bringing more concerts to the Center.

Many La Crosse Center customers complain that the building doesn’t put on enough concerts.

The recent $42-million expansion and renovation of the Center was aimed mainly at updating the building’s infrastructure and providing more space for conventions, which tend to bring in more tourist spending than concerts do.

Center director Art Fahey is scheduled to retire on Oct. 20, but could continue to serve as a member of the special study committee.