Wisconsin Center District Institutes Temporary Layoffs
Cost-saving measure taken in response to loss of business due to COVID-19
MILWAUKEE, WI – (April 17, 2020) – In response to the severe economic impact of COVID-19 on the operation and finances of the Wisconsin Center District (WCD), today the WCD temporarily laid off thirty-four full-time staff, approximately fifty percent of its full-time workforce, effective immediately. Recalls will be made as business warrants based on job functions throughout late spring and summer.
“Layoffs are always the last course of action and this decision was not made lightly,” said Marty Brooks, President and CEO of the WCD. “Efforts to mitigate expenses in other ways simply weren’t enough to counteract the deep and sudden loss of revenue due to cancellation and postponement of events because of COVID-19.”
The WCD, which owns and operates the Wisconsin Center, UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, and Miller High Life Theatre has had over 70 events postpone, reschedule, or cancel from March through June of this year. In addition to loss of revenue from room rent, audio/visual orders, and food and beverage services from those direct events, the WCD – which is a tax collecting quasi-governmental agency – has also lost revenue from city and county hotel taxes, county food and beverage taxes, and a ticket surcharge from events at Fiserv Forum, for which the WCD is the landlord.
“As dire as the next few months may be, I do feel confident that we will come back even stronger,” said Brooks. “The WCD has a full schedule of events from August through the end of the year.”
More about the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Gov. Evers, DCF Announce Plan to Support Early Care and Education Providers, Partners, and Wisconsin Families - Gov. Tony Evers - Mar 4th, 2021
- WI Daily: 539 New COVID-19 Cases - Urban Milwaukee - Mar 3rd, 2021
- City Aims To Vaccinate Every Educator In Two Weeks - Graham Kilmer - Mar 3rd, 2021
- NEW: Senator Johnson Plans to Delay COVID Relief Through Senate Stunt - Opportunity Wisconsin - Mar 3rd, 2021
- Evers Says Schools May Need Summer Classes - Shawn Johnson - Mar 3rd, 2021
- City Hires Private Firm To Track COVID-19 Violations - Graham Kilmer - Mar 3rd, 2021
- Racine Prison Quarantines Entire Housing Unit - Isiah Holmes - Mar 3rd, 2021
- WI Daily: 324 New COVID-19 Cases - Urban Milwaukee - Mar 2nd, 2021
- 34 Vaccine Doses Spoil at Wisconsin Center - Jeramey Jannene - Mar 2nd, 2021
- 8.7% of State Now Fully Vaccinated - Graham Kilmer - Mar 2nd, 2021
Read more about Coronavirus Pandemic here
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Apr 17th, 2020 by Wisconsin Center DistrictCost-saving measure taken in response to loss of business due to COVID-19
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Mar 13th, 2020 by Wisconsin Center DistrictApril 4 concert at Miller High Life Theatre among dates to be rescheduled to fall 2020
