EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 New questions are emerging about a possible change in operations at the El Paso County Coliseum after local organizations said they have been hearing that the University of Texas at El Paso may be involved.<\/p>\n
During a quarterly report at a county commissioners meeting, Tony Rodriguez, the director of communications and events for the El Paso Sports Commission, highlighted event success throughout the year and asked commissioners for a new sheet of ice for the arena to help bring more events and revenue to the coliseum.<\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: El Paso County considers reintroducing bond for coliseum renovation after narrow defeat<\/a><\/p>\n Rodriguez also told commissioners that several organizations had informed him that UTEP may be looking to take over operations, something he said he was never told directly.<\/p>\n \u201cThe last time I heard on April 13th, there was a gentleman who wouldn’t go do an interview and as we were walking outside, he pulled me aside to say, ‘Hey, listen, I’m considering talking to this person about sponsorship because it’s a big tournament that he does.’ I go, ‘Well, why are you thinking about that? Are we not helping you?’ He was, ‘No, I heard that someone told me that you guys are being taken over by UTEP so you’re not gonna be funded,’\u201d Rodriguez said.<\/p>\n County commissioners said they were not aware of any plans for UTEP to take over operations. <\/p>\n County officials said a request for proposal, or RFP, for purchase is currently being written by the county but has not yet been published.<\/p>\n Emily Schmalz reports on El Paso County Coliseum<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The El Paso Sports Commission has been contracted at the coliseum since 2003, and that contract is set to expire in September 2027. <\/p>\n Rodriguez said the Sports Commission will compete if UTEP submits a bid.<\/p>\n