Chris Morris from WNBZ just checked in to say that local Lake Placid and ORDA officials plan to hold this February’s Empire State Winter Games, despite the state organization’s plan to bow out.<\/p>\n
They say they have the staffing and\u00a0the infrastructure alreday in place. The only piece left to put together over the next few months is funding.<\/p>\n
Chris will have a complete story for us tomorrow during the 8 O’clock Hour.
\nThis just arrived from the press folks in Lake Placid:<\/p>\n
\nLAKE PLACID, ADIRONDACKS USA- Officials from the Village of Lake Placid, the Town of North Elba, the Town of Wilmington, the New York State Olympic Development Authority (ORDA) and the Lake Placid CVB, and the Whiteface Regional Visitors Bureau are pleased to announce that the communities will host the 2011 Empire State Winter Games.<\/span><\/div>\n
\n<\/span><\/div>\nAccording to a statement from the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation on November 16, the summer, senior, physically challenged and winter Empire State Games were cut from the 2011 budget. The 31st annual Empire State Winter Games were scheduled to be held in February 2011 in Lake Placid. <\/span><\/div>\n
\n<\/span><\/div>\nThe cancellation swiftly led to discussions amongst community leaders about a solution that would allow the Games to resume as scheduled this winter.\u00a0 Representatives from the Towns of North Elba and Wilmington, the Village of Lake Placid, the Lake Placid CVB and the ORDA made a joint decision Wednesday evening to work cooperatively to ensure that the games will continue at the same high level to which athletes are accustomed.<\/span><\/div>\n
\n<\/span><\/div>\n\u201cWe\u2019ve made this decision on behalf of the greater Lake Placid region, just as Lake Placid decided in 1928 to pursue the 1932 Olympic Winter Games during the Great Depression, \u201d said Mayor Craig Randall.\u00a0 \u201cThis situation is actually an opportunity for Lake Placid, as it jump-started our existing plans to convene a leadership committee that will facilitate programs to support the communities\u2019 sustainable future.\u201d <\/span><\/div>\n
\n<\/span><\/div>\n\u201cWith the expertise of our venue management team at ORDA, the Lake Placid CVB, our North Elba Park District, and our partners in Wilmington we have more than enough expertise to host a very successful event; now and in the future,\u201d added Roby Politi, Supervisor of North Elba.<\/span><\/div>\n
\n<\/span><\/div>\n\u201cThe Empire State Games represent a great economic impact to the greater region,\u201d said Randy Preston, Supervisor of Wilmington, home of Whiteface Mountain. \u201cWe look forward to being part of the team that will make certain that this event will continue to be part of our winter calendar.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n
\n<\/span><\/div>\n\u201cOur facilities and venue management were already prepared to host these events, said Ted Blazer,\u201d President of ORDA. \u201cThe venues are set, our staff is ready, and we will pull off an exceptional Empire State Winter Games 2011.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n
\n<\/span><\/div>\n\u201cWe\u2019re pooling all of our collective talents, and are prepared to aggressively pursue funding to make this happen,\u201d said James McKenna, President of the Lake Placid CVB. \u201cWe have already and will continue to communicate closely with the former Empire State Games staff to guarantee a rewarding experience for our New York State athletes.\u201d <\/span><\/div>\n
\n<\/span><\/div>\nSenator Elizabeth O\u2019C. Little was very supportive. \u201cMy office is willing to meet and assist any way possible,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m very glad that the community stepped forward to promote yet another great event in the Adirondacks.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n
\n<\/span><\/div>\nAssemblywoman Teresa Sayward was equally encouraging. \u201cGreat news,\u201d she said. \u201cPartnerships like this are necessary to keep great programs such as this in place.\u201d <\/span><\/div>\n
\n<\/span><\/div>\nThe event will be held on February 25-28, 2011, and includes competitions in the disciplines of alpine and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ski jumping, ice skating and more. <\/span><\/div>\n