OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV) Oshkosh's City Center Hotel has new owners and a new educational mission.  The UW Oshkosh Foundation, Pfefferle Companies and RB Hospitality closed on the $2.1 million purchase Tuesday morning.

After $9 million in renovations, UW-O leaders say it will enhance community offerings.

Chancellor Richard Wells says, "UW Oshkosh has the largest on campus conference business in the UW system.  And it's had that for decades.  And it would just help us enhance the education conference that we do."

The hotel is expected to reopen next year.  One of the unique things about the hotel is its skywalk.  It connects the hotel to the convention center.  Experts say that will be a determining factor to bringing 100s of new conventions to town.

"The hotel also has meeting space," adds Oshkosh Convention & Visitors Bureau Exec. Director Wendy Hielsberg.  "So you can do large meetings, breakout rooms.  That was all something I couldn't market in the past."

With events like Country USA, and EAA Airventure popular draws in the summer, conventions could now draw huge crowds to town in the off-season.