If you’ve lived in Janesville long enough, you know that our city has never been short on heart — but for years, we’ve lacked a true hub where that energy could fully come to life. That’s about to change. With the Woodman’s Sports & Convention Center slated to open in fall 2025, Janesville isn’t just getting a building. We’re getting a future-forward community anchor that brings opportunity, excitement, and serious momentum to our doorstep.
Located just north of downtown, this 140,000-square-foot facility will feature two NHL-sized ice rinks — one with seating for up to 1,500 fans — and a 25,800-square-foot convention center that will be equipped to host everything from youth sports tournaments to wedding expos, corporate events, and regional trade shows. One of those ice rinks will also become the new home of the Janesville Jets, a team that’s already a source of pride and a magnet for hockey fans from around the Midwest.
This isn’t just about ice time. It’s about impact.
According to Christine Rebout, Vice Chair of the Friends of the Woodman’s Center and Executive Director of the Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, the facility is projected to bring in more than $30 million a year in economic activity to the city (NBC15). Think hotel bookings, restaurant traffic, vendor income, and thousands of visitors discovering what we already know — Janesville is worth the trip.
But for those of us who live here, this project hits deeper than the economic stats.
It’s about creating a space where local kids can skate, host tournaments, and dream bigger. It’s about hosting events we’d otherwise have to drive hours to attend. It’s about having a modern facility that helps our city say, proudly, “We belong in the conversation.”
And the buzz is building. Even before it opens, organizations from across the state are already eyeing Janesville for their events. The Wisconsin Figure Skating Club, regional volleyball leagues, cheer competitions, and convention organizers have all expressed interest. Once it’s up and running, the Woodman’s Center will be a serious contender in the statewide circuit for sports and event hosting — not just a local novelty.
Of course, a project this ambitious hasn’t come without its fair share of hurdles. Rising costs delayed the start, and there were questions about whether Janesville could support something this large. But as construction nears completion and the bones of this vision take shape, it’s clear that the community is rallying behind it.
Funding came from a combination of state grants, private donations (including the $2 million naming gift from Woodman’s Markets), and city commitment — a reflection of just how many people believe in the long-term value of this space. And for good reason.
The convention space alone gives Janesville an edge we’ve never had. It means we can finally host larger trade shows, regional conferences, expos, and even indoor markets in winter. It also gives local organizations — from schools to nonprofits to hobbyist clubs — an upgraded venue for fundraisers, galas, and celebrations.
And let’s not ignore the pride factor. Every time you drive by the facility now, you can feel it — that sense that something big is happening here. That our city is growing in the right direction. That our kids will have better options than we did. That maybe — just maybe — Janesville is done being underestimated.
So what can we do now? Support it. Talk about it. Share it. Plan to attend opening events. Encourage your business to explore opportunities for event space. Let visiting teams and vendors know that Janesville is more than just convenient — it’s welcoming, invested, and thriving.
The Woodman’s Center won’t solve every problem. But it’s a powerful, visible sign that our best days aren’t behind us. They’re ahead of us — and they’re being built brick by brick, right here.