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| Issue: # 029 |
September 10, 2009 |
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Wenatchee Valley Sports Council News
 Greetings!
I don't know about you, but I absolutely LOVE this time of year! We are still blessed with beautiful sunshine-filled days, but cool nights with dew on the grass in the morning. Of course, I'm also a hunter and it's HUNTING SEASON!
There's so much good news to pass along this month, it took me a few extra days to dot the i's and cross the t's before I could put this issue to bed.
First, as you'll read more below, Triple Crown Sports has chosen the Wenatchee Valley to host a youth baseball tournament in April. Second, the NAHL has made it 'official' that Wenatchee will host the Robertson Cup May 3-9, 2010. Finally, the hammers and nails are flying on two new hotels in the valley that will open soon.
And, let us not forget that hockey season is here with the Wenatchee Wild beginning defense of its West Division Championship on Friday, September 11th. Did I mention football season is here too?
Finally, let me take a moment to wish my dearest daughter Gracie a happy 11th birthday on September 11th. While most of the country will remember the devestation of what happened on 9-11 in 2001, I'll be fondly remembering counting fingers and toes on my 9lb., 3oz. bundle of joy that came in 1998 at Kennewick General Hospital. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACIE!!!
Enjoy this newsletter. Send it on to your friends. And, join us on Facebook too!
Happy Trails
Eric Granstrom - Wenatchee Valley Sports Council |
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Triple Crown Sports Chooses Wenatchee For Tournament
A nationally-renowned baseball tournament promoter has selected the Wenatchee Valley as the site for a youth baseball tournament next spring. Triple Crown Sports, based in Fort Collins, Colorado, chose Wenatchee to host a "Season Opener" tournament for teams aged 9-14.
 Drew Reiners, Northwest-Southwest Baseball Director for Triple Crown, said the Wenatchee Valley's climate, central-location and facilities were the deciding factors. "This area is beautiful and reminds me a lot of our headquarters in Fort Collins. Its central location in Washington and dryer weather in the spring makes it a perfect venue for a kickoff tournament for youth around the region," Reiners said. Reiners toured area facilities and met with local baseball interests in August about the possibility of Triple Crown running a tournament in the Wenatchee area. Director of Marketing for the Wenatchee Valley Sports Council, Eric Granstrom, was Reiners tour guide. He said, "We owe a lot to our local youth baseball organizations and facility-managers for opening the door to Drew (Reiners) and listening with an open mind about bringing a top-quality event like this to our community." Granstrom says the tournament will draw teams in five divisions ranging in age from 9-to-14 years old and will use baseball fields at Walla Walla Point and Kirby Billingsley Hydro Parks, Dan White Field, Eastmont Jr. High's field, Tedford Park, Lincoln Park and Wenatchee Valley College's Paul Thomas, Sr. Baseball Field. Reiners says he hopes for thirty or more teams in the first year, but added, "...even at the hint of a tournament in Wenatchee I had four coaches from the west side contact me and say they wanted in." According to Granstrom, the anticipated economic impact of Triple Crown's tournament in the Wenatchee Valley is between $60,000 and $70,000 its first year out. Triple Crown currently runs tournaments in Everett (May) and Tri-Cities (June). The Triple Crown tournament in Wenatchee will take place April 10th and 11th, 2010. |
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Its Official...Robertson Cup Coming to Wenatchee
The Wenatchee Wild and the Wenatchee Valley will host the North American Hockey League's championship tournament in May. While it may be old news, it was finally made "official" by the NAHL the end of August.
 Wild President and Co-owner, Bill Stewart, announced upon the team's return from a 2nd place finish at last year's Robertson Cup tournament in Mason City, Iowa that the league had selected Wenatchee as the host for 2010. However, many details had to be ironed out before it became official. Following is the press release from the NAHL: FRISCO, Tex. - The North American Hockey League (NAHL), has announced that the Wenatchee Wild has been selected to host the 2010 Robertson Cup Championship Tournament, which will be held from May 3-9, 2010 at the Town Toyota Center in Wenatchee, Wash.
"We couldn't be happier to bring our league championship to Wenatchee next season," said NAHL commissioner Mark Frankenfeld. "Since its inception, the Wild has established itself as one of the NAHL's premier organizations, both on and off the ice, and we have no doubt it will host a tournament to remember."
Named the NAHL Organization of the Year in its inaugural season of 2008-09,the Wild averaged an attendance of 2,714 per game, and totaled 78,719 fans, both of which topped the League.
"Being chosen to host the Robertson Cup Championship is a real treat for our fans and the entire Wenatchee community," said Wild president Bill Stewart."We're looking forward to showcasing our city and its hospitality to all of the visiting teams, scouts, fans and families."
The five-team Robertson Cup Championship crowns the NAHL's playoff champion (USA Hockey's Tier II Junior A national champion). As the host team, the Wild will receive an automatic bid to the 2010 tournament.
The oldest junior hockey trophy in the United States, the Robertson Cup is named in honor of Chuck Robertson, a pioneer of junior hockey in the NAHL and youth hockey in the state of Michigan.
Robertson was the owner of the Paddock Pools Saints when they won a record seven straight NAHL championships from 1976-83.
This past season, the St. Louis Bandits won their third straight Robertson Cup Championship, which was hosted by the North Iowa Outlaws.
It's estimated the host community will need $30,000 in local support to host the four traveling teams, game officials, league representatives and NHL and college scouts. The Wenatchee Valley Sports Council has worked with Stewart, the Wild, and local hotels on a bid package to present to the NAHL.
Teams will arrive in Wenatchee on Sunday, May 3rd (at the close of the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival) and play round-robin games at Town Toyota Center Monday-Friday, May 4-8 and play the championship game Saturday, May 9th. Ticket information and sponsorship opportunities will be available through the Wenatchee Wild. |
Progress Continues on Wenatchee Area Hotels
Construction projects adding two new hotels to the Wenatchee Valley continue at a brisk pace. But until an agreement is hammered out between Chelan County, the City of Wenatchee, the Wenatchee Valley Visitors Bureau and owners of the Comfort Suites being constructed at Olds Station, the Visitors Bureau cannot represent the property.
The WVVB receives the majority of its funding from a hotel/motel tax within  the city limits of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee. Because Steve and Tanya Tramp's new Comfort Suites is outside city limits in Chelan County, the Visitors Bureau cannot use resources to represent the property. Visitors Bureau Executive Director Roger Clute went before Chelan County Commissioners in early September to ask for a variance to allow the tax collection on the Tramp's property go to the WVVB so it can include Comfort Suites in its marketing. Commissioners turned the proposal down, indicating that the financially-strapped county could use the assessment. This despite the Tramps being in favor of receiving representation from the Visitors Bureau and paying the tax in return.
Meanwhile, the Tramps continue with the final stages of construction and hope to open in early October. The timing would be perfect for a crush on hotel space with the upcoming  Apple Cup Soccer Tournament October 9-11. Currently, local hotels and motels are full to the brim with reservations for that weekend with teams searching Leavenworth, Chelan and even Quincy and Ephrata to find housing. Passers by on North Wenatchee Avenue can now get a good indication of what the Springhill Suites by Marriott will look like when its completed. Construction on the exterior of the building has closed the property in with walls, floors and the roof. Charlotte Mayo, General Manager of Springhill Suites as well as the Holiday Inn Express, says they're hoping for an opening by March or April. |
Do You Know of a New Event Planned for 2010?
Yes, it's that time of year again when local organizations begin budget planning for the next year. Such is the case for the Wenatchee Valley Sports Council as well. And the Sports Council is looking to the public for input on events that deserve marketing help.
The Sports Council's budget is under the umbrella of the Wenatchee Valley Visitors Bureau budget, which is funded by the hotel/motel tax in the cities of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee. Because both agencies are promotional non-profit 501(c)(6) organizations, RCW's dictate how their budgets are spent. For example, the Sports Council cannot host or put on a tournament or event. By the way, the Wenatchee Valley Sports Foundation, a separate 501(c)(3), hosts the O'Terry's softball tournament.
So, the majority of the Sports Council's funding goes toward promoting events in the Wenatchee Valley. This includes advertising in the media (television, radio, newspaper and magazines) outside the Wenatchee Valley. It also includes promotional assistance for events, such as providing funding for the DAM2DAM Thumbs Up! Bike Ride to print its brochures each year. The Sports Council also picks up the tab for advertising events such as the Wenatchee North Rotary Century Ride and other cycling events in the Bicycle Paper Magazine, the Wenatchee Marathon's ad in Northwest Runner Magazine and the Wenatchee Valley Trail Run Series in Outdoors Northwest Magazine.
Typically, new, or start-up events, have received favorable funding from the Sports Council to help promote events. The Thanksgiving Day Run put on by Sarah Barkley received $2,000 in assistance this past year. Again, this has to go toward outside marketing due to restrictions on using taxpayer's money.
Each year, rumors circulate about many new events coming down the pike, including a mountain bike race or a boat paddle on the Columbia, but unless an organized presentation is brought before the Sports Council Board of Directors, promotional monies cannot be allocated.
So, if the public is aware of a new event coming to the Wenatchee Valley in 2010, please submit information to Director of Marketing, Eric Granstrom, at 5 S. Wenatchee Ave., Suite 100, Wenatchee, WA 98801. Or email the information to sports@wenatcheevalley.org. Questions can be directed to Eric at 509-663-3723. A preliminary budget will be presented to the Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors in November, which final approval expected in early December. |
Use Us, Abuse Us...Get Us Your 2010 Dates Now!  The planning process is well underway for 2010 at the Wenatchee Valley Sports Council and Wenatchee Valley Visitors Bureau. Both organizations provide free web listings of community events on the web, in print and through a monthly and weekly newsletter. So here's your chance to let the world know about the who, what, when, how and why of your event.
Send information to info@wenatcheevalley.org. General events and activities occurring in the Wenatchee Valley will be evaluated for publication by Marcia Janke of the Wenatchee Valley Visitors Bureau. All sports and outdoor recreation events will be reviewed by Sports Council Director of Marketing Eric Granstrom. By the way, the Sports Council has budgeted for a reconstruction of its website in the new year, so keep a watch on www.wenatcheevalleysports.com for changes. |
A Couple Things Before We Go
#1 The Wenatchee chapter of Pheasants Forever is looking for hunting mentors for youth aged 15-and-under for an event later this month. Chapter chair Ed Knaggs says they're holding their Nick Nolen Memorial Youth/Mentor Hunt on Saturday, September 26th.
According to Knaggs, the event will start off with a breakfast (sponsored by the Wenatchee Gun Club) at 8:30 AM at the gun club followed by trap/skeet shooting. Hunters will then head up to Pitts Game Farm for the hunting as has been the tradition for the past two years.
The day's events are free for youth 15-and-under. For more information, contact Knaggs at 509-860-1937. The local Pheasants Forever will hold its first meeting of the fall Thursday, September 17th at 6:30pm at the Wenatchee Gun Club.
#2 The Wenatchee Foothills Community Strategy is a planning effort led by the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust and the Trust for Public Land in partnership with the City of Wenatchee and Chelan County.
 The goa is to creat a community vision and road map for the Wenatchee Foothills that balances new growth with the conservation of natural lands and outdoor recreation areas. The Wenatchee Foothills Strategy will, for the first time, establish a shared vision and community goals for the Wenatchee foothills and lay out a roadmap for balancing new grown with the protection of views, recreation, wildlife, and more. The Community Strategy will be grounded in balanced input from the public, and will provide a realistic action plan for achieving the community's goals.
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Condolences to the Allen Family
A true friend to all in the Wenatchee Valley lost her battle with brain cancer Thursday. Kathy Allen courageously fought the disease for two years before it took her.
Kathy truly immersed herself into the Wenatchee landscape through her work with the Wenatchee Downtown Association, the Wenatchee Central Lions Club, the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival and her short stay with Washington State University Public Radio.
I met Kathy through my work at KPQ. Her ever-present smile, her warm enthusiasm and high energy made her a joy to interview whenever she came into the studio. I had the pleasure of co-emceeing the Apple Blossom Festival Royal Pageant with Kathy in 2001. She was an amazing talent and a sheer delight to be around.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Kathy's friends and family during this trying time.
--Eric Granstrom |
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Cover Us! A Photo Contest to Put Cash in Your Pocket Have a great picture of the Wenatchee Valley? It could earn you $150 cash and the exposure of having your photo grace the cover of our 2010 Wenatchee Valley Visitors Guide.
Photos must be of highest resolution possible with at least an 8 megapixel camera and photos sized 8.5"x11" with 300dpi. Submissions are due by September 30th, 2009. This photo contest is open to professionals as well as amateurs, come one, come all! Photos will become property of the Wenatchee Valley Visitors Bureau with rights to use in publications and for promotional purposes. Entries can be mailed to 5 S. Wenatchee Ave., Suite 100, Wenatchee, WA 98801 or emailed to roger@wenatcheevalley.org
Can you top one of these photos?
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DAM2DAM "Thumbs Up!" Bike Tour On, But Cancels Show
One of the most successful bike rides in the Wenatchee Valley will continue this year, but has pulled out of a planned fundraiser the night before. According to a press release from the Mike Utley Foundation, "In recognition of our Sponsors support for the 7th annual DAM2DAM "Thumbs Up!" Bike Tour, the Mike Utley Foundation had originally contracted with the Town Toyota Center for our Sponsors to attend the Paul Rodriguez Concert on September 25, 2009. As a result of recent administrative changes at the Town Toyota Center, the Mike Utley Foundation Board of Directors have terminated our involvement with this concert." Instead, the release says sponsors will be invited to a pre-ride dinner on the 25th at a yet-to-be-determined location.
In a follow-up email to the Sports Council from Utley Foundation board  member Bunny Morgan said, "Our original agreement for participation was drafted last May with Global. Since the City has assumed the management of the TTC and are required to operate under the RCW's there are restrictions and regulations that need to be followed. The Mike Utley Foundation Board of Director's decided that it was in the best interest of all parties concerned to pass on this one. This will allow the City to reorganize and we can move forward with planning for the D2D Bike Tour on the 26th. Probably a good decision because we have recently learned that the Concert has been cancelled." There's been no official word of a cancellation from management of Town Toyota Center, but a thorough review of the arena's website shows no mention of the Paul Rodriguez concert.
On the positive side, DAM2DAM organizers say they're 'amped' up to put on a great ride September 26th. As usual, riders will start their 25-, 50-, or 100-mile journey from Lincoln Rock State Park. Proceeds from the ride benefit the Mike Utley Foundation to find a cure for paralysis. For more information, go to www.mikeutley.org. |
Sept. 11-13 - Wenatchee Kennel Club AKC Dog Show and Obedience Trials at Walla
Walla Point Park. Contact Chuck St. John at 509-663-4074 or 509-421-8585
Sept. 11 - Fairbanks Ice Dawgs at Wenatchee Wild, Town Toyota Center, 7pm
Cle Elum/Roslyn Bulldogs at Cascade Kodiaks Football, 7pm
Oroville Hornets at Waterville Shockers Football, 7pm
Kennewick at Wentchee Football, 7:30pm
Prosser Mustangs at Quincy Jackrabbits Football, 7:30pm
Sept. 12 - Tonasket Tigers at Cascade Kodiaks Soccer, 11am
Okanogan Bulldogs at Chelan Goats Soccer, 11am
Entiat Tigers at Cashmere Bulldogs Volleyball, 12:30pm
Fairbanks Ice Dawgs at Wenatchee Wild, Town Toyota Center, 5pm
WVSO - ASA NW Late Model Challenge 200, Limited Late Model Racing Series
and Mini-Super Stocks, Gates 5pm, Time Trials 6pm, Racing 7pm
Sept. 15 - Oroville Hornets at Manson Trojans Soccer, 5pm
Wahluke Warriors at Quincy Lady Jacks Soccer, 6pm
Waterville Shockers at Entiat Tigers Volleyball, 6:30pm
Wenatchee Panthers at Eastmont Wildcats Volleyball, 7pm
Cashmere Bulldogs at Cascade Kodiaks Volleyball, 7pm
Oroville Hornets at Manson Trojans Volleyball, 7pm
Sept. 16 - Eastmont Wildcats at Wenatchee Panthers Soccer, 7pm
Sept. 17 - Chelan Goats at Entiat Tigers Soccer, 7pm
Okanogan Bulldogs at Cashmere Bulldogs Volleyball, 7pm
Omak Pioneers at Chelan Goats Volleyball, 7pm
Sept. 18 - Tonasket Tigers at Chelan Goats Football, 7pm
Soap Lake Eagles at Entiat Tigers Football, 7pm
White Swan Cougars at Manson Trojans Football, 7pm
Walla Walla Blue Devils at Eastmont Wildcats Football, 7:30pm
Sept. 19 - Cascade Kodiaks at Chelan Goats Soccer, 11am
Hanford Falcons at Eastmont Wildcats Volleyball, 11:30am
Soap Lake Eagles at Entiat Tigers Volleyball, 12:30pm
Kennewick Lions at Eastmont Wildcats Soccer, 1pm
Walla Walla Blue Devils at Wenatchee Panthers Soccer, 1pm
Bridgeport Fillies at Waterville Shockers Volleyball, 6:30pm
Lake Roosevelt Raiders at Cascade Kodiaks Volleyball, 7pm
Chelan Goats at Cashmere Bulldogs Volleyball, 7pm
WVSO - Championships in B-Modifieds, Bump2Pass, Thunder Cars & Pure
Stocks. Gates 5pm, Time Trials 6pm, Racing 7pm
Sept. 22 - Lewis and Clark Tigers at Wenatchee Panthers Soccer, 5pm
Omak Pioneers at Cascade Kodiaks Soccer, 5pm
Oroville Hornets at Entiat Tigers Soccer, 5pm
Grandview Greyhounds at Quincy Lady Jacks Soccer, 5pm
Kennewick Lions at Wenatchee Panthers Volleyball, 7pm
Oroville Hornets at Entiat Tigers Volleyball, 7pm
Ephrata Tigers at Quincy Lady Jacks Volleyball, 7pm
Sept. 24 - Bridgeport Fillies at Chelan Goats Soccer, 4pm
Southridge Suns at Eastmont Wildcats Volleyball, 7pm
Omak Pioneers at Cashmere Bulldogs Volleyball, 7pm
Cascade Pioneers at Chelan Goats Volleyball, 7pm
Sept. 25 - Tonasket Tigers at Cascade Kodiaks Football, 7pm
Okanogan Bulldogs at Cashmere Bulldogs Football, 7pm
Liberty Bell Mountain Lions at Waterville Shockers Football, 7pm
Selah Vikings at Quincy Jackrabbits Football, 7:30pm
Southridge Suns at Wenatchee Panthers Football, 7:30pm
Sept. 26 - DAM2DAM Thumbs Up! Bike Ride - starting at Lincoln Rock State Park,
25-50-100 mile options - go to www.mikeutley.org
Kamiakin Braves at Eastmont Wildcats Soccer, 11am
Tonasket Tigers at Cashmere Bulldogs Soccer, 11am
Ephrata Tigers at Quincy Lady Jacks Soccer, 1pm
Kittitas Coyotes at Waterville Shockers Volleyball, 2:30pm
WVSO - Championships for NW Outlaw Street Stocks, NW Legends, Mini-
Super Stocks & Youth Hornets. Gates 5pm, Time Trials 6pm, Racing 7pm
Sept. 29 - Cashmere Bulldogs at Cascade Kodiaks Soccer, 4pm
Brewster Bears at Chelan Goats Soccer, 4pm
Toppenish Wildcats at Quincy Lady Jacks Soccer, 5pm
Manson Trojans at Waterville Shockers Volleyball, 6:30pm
Hanford Falcons at Wenatchee Panthers Soccer, 7pm
Kamiakin Braves at Wenatchee Panthers Volleyball, 7pm
Okanogan Bulldogs at Cascade Kodiaks Volleyball, 7pm
Sept. 30 - Okanogan Bulldogs at Entiat Tigers Soccer, 4:30pm | |
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Thank you for being part of the Wenatchee Valley Sports Council on-line community. If you'd like more information about the Sports Council, go to our website!
Sincerely,
Eric Granstrom
Wenatchee Valley Sports Council |
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