BLOOMINGTON - A Chicago concert, hockey games and "Sesame Street" helped the U.S. Cellular Coliseum post a $3,503 operations profit for December.

The report released Thursday showed a small profit, allowing the city and Central Illinois Arena Management to chip away at the Coliseum's operational loss, which stands at $116,000 so far in the fiscal year that began May 1, 2007. Those figures do not involve money needed to pay on the Coliseum's construction and equipment debt.

"We are happy with it," said Mike Nelson, co-owner of the Coliseum management group. "The Chicago concert did well for us."

The Chicago concert had attendance of 2,623 people, and the concert promoter is considering two additional events at the Coliseum. Two family shows for "Sesame Street Live" also brought in 3,161 people.

Meanwhile, the Third Day concert, with an attendance of 2,966 people, was a little disappointing. Nelson said it did not have the attendance they hoped.

The Coliseum can hold more than 7,000 people, but it can be configured for events with lower attendance.

Over 26 events, including meetings and company holiday parties, the Coliseum's attendance for December was 21,672.

Nelson said the operations continue to improve, adding January was a strong month with a Kid Rock concert that drew 6,483 people and motorcycle ice racing that had 4,124 people. By Tuesday, attendance for January was 40,162.

The profit reported for December on the management group's operations does not include the roughly $194,000 the city needs to set aside monthly to pay on the bonds and equipment replacement fund.

This year the city owes about $1.9 million to pay on the bonds issued to build the $35.8 million Coliseum, and $475,000 is needed to be set aside during the year for the equipment replacement fund.