Schoenike leaving U.S. Cellular Center post for Indiana job

Scott Schoenike, who oversaw the operations of the city's three entertainment venues the last four years for management firm VenuWorks, is leaving to head up a similar venture in Evansville, Ind.

The 39-year-old Schoenike's departure makes perfect sense because of the “uncertainty” surrounding the management of the city of Cedar Rapids' venues, Patrick DePalma, chairman of the city's Five Seasons Facilities Commission, said Tuesday.

It's not clear if VenuWorks, which has a breakable contract with the city through June 30, 2013, will be the management firm that operates the city's new Convention Complex, which includes a new convention center and renovated U.S. Cellular Center arena, as well as the Paramount Theatre and Ice Arena.

“I understand he wanted some security going forward,” DePalma said of Schoenike's decision to take the Evansville position. “I feel sorry he's going, but I understand why he is.”

Schoenike came to Cedar Rapids for VenuWorks in March 2007 after a three-year stint running the privately owned DeltaPlex Entertainment & Expo Center in Grand Rapids, Mich. Schoenike turned a $260,000 annual loss into a $380,000 annual profit at that facility, the Five Seasons Facilities Commission said at the time.

DePalma said Schoenike had success in Cedar Rapids, too, as he went out and found new acts to align with the niche that Cedar Rapids has in the marketplace, which has been audiences of 5,000 to 7,000 at the U.S. Cellular Center. DePalma said the arena can't compete with newer, bigger venues in Des Moines and the Quad Cities, but Schoenike did a good job of finding acts where Cedar Rapids can compete, he said.

The new Evansville Arena is slated to open in late 2011 and will hold crowds up to 11,000. It will be home to hockey, basketball and entertainment events.

According to the 2010 Census, Evansville's population is 117,429, Cedar Rapids', 126,326.