By Dee Longfellow
Early Monday morning, the Independent learned that after 40 years, The Odeum Expo Center in Villa Park would be hosting its 40th anniversary and Farewell Season in 2022.
Owned and operated by the Elmhurst-based Greco family since 1981, the Odeum Expo Center has been a popular venue for concerts, indoor sports, haunted houses, trade shows, and much more, drawing patrons from throughout Chicagoland.
According to a release issued by the Odeum, Arrow Trans Corp, a trucking and warehouse business currently based in Elk Grove Village, will be relocating to the 12.9-acre site as of June 1.
History of the Greco family’s establishment
Back in the 1970’s, the Greco family owned a hockey team called the Chicago Warriors. At that time, the family had to pay expenses for the team to play at the old Chicago Stadium, where the Blackhawks played until it became the United Center. The costs were tremendous and Emil “EG” Greco decided to build his own hockey arena and the future Odeum was born.
EG built a facility that had three ice rinks and Hat Trick Ice Arena came to be. With the state of the economy what it was at the time, the Grecos decided to change from hockey to indoor soccer. With no compressors needed to make ice and no power needed to run the compressors 24/7, costs of operation were reduced significantly.
On Nov. 13, 1981, the Odeum Sports & Expo Center was opened.
In its four decades, the Odeum has hosted various events, including concerts by KISS, Alabama, Kenny Rogers, and Amy Grant; haunted houses with Rob Zombie; both a Spring and Autumn Arts & Crafts Festival; mixed martial arts matches, semi-pro soccer and football teams, rodeos, pro wrestling, dog shows, circuses, religious and ethnic events, along with numerous public and private trade expositions. Last year, the Odeum also became a COVID-19 drive-through testing site for the DuPage County Health Department.
Grecos weigh in
Odeum owners Phil and Sis Greco released the following statement: “We have had a lot of fun and have met fantastic and unique people from around the country, so we’ve enjoyed this business. We’re still booking and making things happen. We currently have a full plate seven days a week with indoor soccer and lacrosse through the end of March, and then we go into our spring season of special events through May 31, 2022.”
The Greco’s and the Odeum Expo Center staff invite the community to come celebrate with them in their 40th Anniversary and Farewell Season of shows this spring. If you would like to schedule one last event at the Odeum Expo Center, call them at 630-941-9292 or visit their website at www.OdeumExpo.com, where you’ll find more information including a schedule of the remaining events coming this season.
