A report released this week by a Connecticut auditor shows that UConn football stadium Rentschler Field "had a loss in each fiscal year from 2008 to 2011, a trend state officials hope to reverse by attracting more events when the stadium comes under new oversight,” according to Matthew Sturdevant of the HARTFORD COURANT. The 40,000-seat venue “has an annual depreciation expense of $2.1 million,” which accounts “for much of the $2.4 million loss in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011.” Rentschler Field had “losses totaling $9.3 million for the four fiscal years 2008 through 2011, largely driven by depreciation.” Connecticut Office of Policy & Management Secretary Benjamin Barnes said that depreciation aside, the venue “would still benefit from a fuller schedule in the future.” Sturdevant notes the state, however, “will soon place Rentschler Field under management of the Capital Region Development Authority.” The organization will “manage the XL Center and the Connecticut Convention Center in addition to Rentschler Field.” Barnes said, "Hopefully, we can reduce costs and improve their ability to attract users to all three of those venues, all of which, ultimately, rely on state and local subsidies” (HARTFORD COURANT, 8/31).
