The Hartford Capital Regional Development Authority “is seeking proposals to manage” the XL Center and Rentschler Field and is “floating the idea that it might be less expensive to have one manager, rather than two,” according to Kenneth Gosselin of the HARTFORD COURANT. The authority said that a “coordinated strategy also could better attract sports and entertainment events to the area.” The facilities' contracts are “expiring as of August, 2013, and the CRDA is just newly-formed.” AEG Management CT “assumed full responsibility for managing the XL Center in 2010 when its partner, Northland Investment Corp, gave up its interest in the venture.” AEG this summer also “took over management” of the AHL Connecticut Whale, which plays in the XL Center. East Hartford’s Rentschler Field has been “managed by Hartford-based Bushnell Management Services LLC since early 2010.” Both AEG and Bushnell yesterday said that they “would be interested in the bidding on both facilities.” Bushnell Management GM Michael Fresher “didn’t hesitate when asked about Bushnell’s intentions.” Fresher said, “We will be bidding on the XL Center. In the past 2-1/2 years, we have shown the ability to increase events and run (Rentschler) effectively” (COURANT.com, 10/24).
