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| Issue: # 042 | January 26, 2011 |
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Wenatchee Valley Sports Council News
 Greetings!
I know, I know, where have THESE been?! Well, "do to circumstances beyond our control..." No, excuses are like eyeballs, everybody has one. My only excuse for not providing you a monthly newsletter since late October is that I simply haven't had time.
The final horah of 2010 proved to be quite challenging for the Sports Council and the Visitors Bureau. We found ourselves battling to maintain our funding source through hotel taxes. I guess it shouldn't have come as a surprise in these economic times, but it honestly caught us off guard. And while we're not in the clear yet, things are looking much brighter for the future.
In the meantime, there's much to talk about on the ole sports scene in the Wenatchee Valley! First, let me comiserate with Eastmont wrestlers who've had their season ended by contagious diseases. That really sucks! I can't imagine working so hard for something for months, and years in the case of the upper classman, to only be told you can't wrestle anymore because of some skin diseases. Here's hoping Eastmont gets to the bottom of how this happened and that other programs throughout the state can learn from it. I guess the old days of bleach and water to clean the mats is over.
It seems I've been running from one meeting to another lately, all regarding sports in some shape or form. Please read through the articles in this newsletter. I'm sure you'll find some pretty exciting information, as I did in the flury of meetings I've been attending.
Finally, I wanted to thank everyone who came to our first-ever Wenatchee Valley Youth Sports Fair. It all came together nicely last Saturday and I can't wait to ramp it up again for next year. I hope you enjoy the reading, maybe learn something new and share this with friends.
Happy Trails
Eric Granstrom - Wenatchee Valley Sports Council
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Wenatchee FiRE players post at Youth Sports Fair |
ALL SMILES AT YOUTH SPORTS FAIR
(Wenatchee, WA)...Amid the laughter, smiling faces and squeals of delight emitted from the children present, I guess one could say the first-ever Wenatchee Valley Youth Sports Fair was a success. 38 various organizations gathered at the Wenatchee Convention Center January 22nd to provide information about their youth offerings. The genres ranged from the traditional baseball, softball, soccer and football to the non-traditional judo, rugby and Irish dance.
Event organizer Eric Granstrom was pleased with the first-time event. "It was great to have all these organizations step up and man a booth for the Fair. I just didn't know if the public would show up," said Granstrom. According to a survey of Youth Sports Fair participants, the overall review of the event was outstanding. Attendees were given the opportunity to play tennis with the "WRAC-Room"; balance on a tight rope with the Wenatchee Youth Circus; toss a football or shoot a basket with Coca-Cola's inflatable; or play in one of Trinity Inflatables three giant toys.
While no official numbers were kept on attendance (free admission), the crowds were pretty thick and steady for the first four hours. "Things died off a little for the final two hours, so maybe that's something we think about for next year's event," said Granstrom. "We tried to get everyone here (youth sports), but we missed out on basketball and volleyball, so I hope we get them involved next time," Granstrom added.
Coca-Cola Refreshments of Wenatchee/Omak provided cases of soda and water to sell to benefit the Wenatchee Valley Sports Foundation. While sales were slow on the pop, the Foundation still enjoyed the opportunity to get the message out to the organizations at the fair and parent attendees that they're available to help the less fortunate play sports.
Granstrom wanted to extend a special note of gratitude to Coca-Cola, Trinity Inflatables, Cherry Creek Radio, Sunny FM, KKRV and the Wenatchee World for their help in making the first Wenatchee Valley Youth Sports Fair happen. Granstrom said plans are already under way to do it again in January, 2012. He added that if parents missed out on attending the Youth Sports Fair to go to the Sports Council's website to find all the contact information for youth sports and activities presented at the event. Go to www.wenatcheevalleysports.com. To view photos from the Youth Sports Fair, check out our Facebook page. |
GOT ROOMS TO LET? WE NEED THEM!
(Wenatchee, WA)...Two new hotels added to the arsenal of overnight accommodations in the Wenatchee Valley have been very helpful in the past year. But they won't be enough to handle the crush of youth coming our way in April.
A veritable "Perfect Storm" is aimed squarely at the Wenatchee Valley April 8th through the 10th with two, huge youth sporting events happening at the same time. First, the Western Elite Ski Series is back at Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort April 7-12. Over 250-skiers are expected to compete in the multi-day event. Second, the Triple Crown Wenatchee Valley Season Opener baseball tournament is sandwiched in between April 9-10 with many of the teams coming to town Friday night, April 8th. 51 teams have already paid entry into the tournament with another 58 penciled. That's nearly 1,400 players, plus coaches and families needing a place to sleep, shower and eat. Consider that Wenatchee and East Wenatchee only have 1,335 hotel rooms and you can see the problem.
"We're going to have to be creative here," said Eric Granstrom, Director of Marketing for the Wenatchee Valley Sports Council. "I'm already looking to Leavenworth, Chelan and Quincy for traditional hotel rooms, however I think we may have to seek out individuals with homes/rooms to rent or gym floors at this point," added Granstrom.
Most of the skiers will be staying at the Red Lion in Wenatchee, the official host hotel for Mission Ridge Ski Team races. Triple Crown has room block contracts with Best Western Chieftain Inn, Cedars Inn, Coast Wenatchee Center, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Holiday Inn Express, La Quinta Inn & Suites, and Springhill Suites by Marriott. "That's nine of our 21 properties," Granstrom said, who added "but that's also the majority of our larger hotels who have the most double-queen offerings." Granstrom explained that teams look to put players in rooms with two queen beds to get four players per room. Several hotels offer single-king rooms with a sleeper-sofa, but those rooms have also been sucked up by teams. "Believe me, if there are extra rooms out there to rent in any form, I need to know about it," exclaimed Granstrom.
"We've been tasked with putting heads in beds and improving the economy of the Wenatchee Valley," Granstrom stated. He continued, "Having these two events is huge and we cannot afford to lose them. However, we'll need to turn people away if they don't have anywhere to stay and that could cost us the events."
Contact the Wenatchee Valley Sports Council with your rooming ideas at sports@wenatcheevalley.org or by calling 509-663-3723. |
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Women lined up to learn about Roller Derby Jan. 12th |
ROLLER DERBY ON A ROLL
(Wenatchee, WA)...The term "Roller Derby" brings visions of scantily clad mavens canvassed in heavy makeup, sporting elbow and knee pads racing around a high-banked ovals in the 1970's. Today, Roller Derby has brought together hundreds of interested women in the Wenatchee Valley to start a new league under the banner "Apple City Roller Derby."
"There's been talk about roller derby for years in the area," says ACRD co-founder Barb Andre. "We've been carpooling to Soap Lake to skate at Lakeview for quite a while...just to have a place to skate," said Andre. Lakeview Roller Skating Center in Soap Lake is one of just a few dedicated roller rinks left in Eastern Washington.
Prior to its organizational meeting January 12th, ACRD approached the Wenatchee Valley Sports Council to help spread the word of the need for a place to practice in the Wenatchee area. A press release was sent out and follow-up interview on Sunny FM, followed by a nice article in the Wenatchee World and stories on KPQ and KOHO Radio.
Andre says they had well over 200 people at their first meeting on the 12th. "They just kept coming and coming and coming...I'm not sure where they parked!" said Andre. The inaugural meeting was held in the upstairs ballroom at Club Level across from the YMCA in Wenatchee. That was also the location for the groups first practice last night (Jan. 26). Andre says they're talking with the Wenatchee Valley Sportsplex about having roller derby bouts in their facility. In no time at all, ACRD had over 700 friends on its Facebook page and are rolling toward a new league.
Andre says practices are every Wednesday and Thursday from 6:30-8:30 in the ballroom at Club Level. All practices are closed except for special guests such as coaches or referees. Until the organization gets insurance, all practices are "off skate", meaning no skates. Andre suspects they'll be able to be on skates by March. In addition to the twice-weekly practices, group skates in Soap Lake are offered on Friday's and Sunday's from 6-10pm.
For more information or to sign up, email applecityderby@gmail.com or search Apple City Roller Derby on Facebook. The group is also accepted design concepts to create an official logo through Facebook. |
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Ready for this to come racing at you on the Columbia River in Wenatchee?! |
HYDROPLANE RACES IN WENATCHEE?
(Wenatchee, WA)...Members of the Unlimited Light Hydroplane Racing Association approached the Wenatchee Valley Sports Council about the possibility of running a race in 2011 on the Columbia River in Wenatchee. "Sure!" was our response. However the devil is in the details.
Joe Frauenheim is president of the ULHRA and is spearheading the effort to race in Wenatchee. Timing is critical, however, as the group would like to race here Apple Blossom weekend. "It just seems to me that if we can get the right local support for an event, racing should take place on the Columbia River in Wenatchee," said Frauenheim.
"We're very early in this discussion with nothing solid yet," said Sports Council Director of Marketing Eric Granstrom. "I've spoken with Apple Blossom and they're very supportive of the idea and even offered to make it an "official" Apple Blossom event. I've also had early conversations with the Chelan County Commissioners and Chelan County Sheriff Brian Burnett," Granstrom added. He admitted that turning around and putting on a race in short a short amount of time would be incredibly difficult.
According to Frauenheim, they would need at least two, 50-ton hydraulic cranes; some temporary docking; volunteer patrol boats; a speaker system for public announcing; prizes and trophies for boat teams; and a local promoter to take on the on-shore element of the race. "We treat it like we're the circus coming to town," said Frauenheim, "you provide us a place to race and we'll handle the show."
The Sports Council has reached out to those involved in Apple Blossom races in Wenatchee in the past as well as a contingent that worked on a full-scale Unlimited Hydroplane race about five years ago. Granstrom says he's not holding his breath as to whether it can happen this year, "but who knows?!" Right now, the ULHRA is looking at Confluence State Park as the host site with the course just off the shoreline downstream from the Odabashian Bridge on the Columbia River. Spectators could gather at Confluence, Walla Walla Point Park or on the upper portion of the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail to watch.
Word of a possible race in Wenatchee sparked interest among the Grand Prix West hydroplane circuit as well, who currently race all over Washington State including Moses Lake and Lake Chelan. Anyone interested in getting involved to put on the race should contact the Wenatchee Valley Sports Council at 509-663-3723 or email sports@wenatcheevalley.org. |
LIVE FOR ADVENTURE RACE DEBUTS IN MAY
(Wenatchee, WA)...Mark your calendars for May 21st to include a new stage race in the Wenatchee Valley. Michael Hansen of Biosports Physical Therapy is the mastermind behind the obstacle course style race aimed at ages 10 to adult.
Hansen and a group of dedicated volunteers have been meeting for months to plan the race, which will begin and end at Lee Bofto Field at the Apple Bowl. "This race will be great for parents and fans because they'll be able to view most of it from the grandstands in the Apple Bowl," said Hansen.
The idea is for teams to compete for their favorite school in the Wenatchee Valley. Placing teams will win cash for the school of their choice. There will be nine divisions for Elementary School (4th/5th grade boys/girls); Middle School (6th-8th grade boys/girls); High School (9th-12th grade boys/girls); Teachers/PTA; Corporate; and Adult. The race itself will be divided into three stages and involve everything from sports, skills and strength and agility obstacles. The race will be staged at the Apple Bowl, Triangle Park, Pioneer Park, Wenatchee City Pool and Recreation Park. Cost is $60 for student teams and $150 for adults teams if you register before May 1st. After May 1st, it's $75/student team and $180/adult team.
The goal is to raise money for kid's education, athletics and scholarships through the Parent Teacher Organizations in each school. In addition, the hope is to encourage teamwork and movement in a fun, healthy, and encouraging way that embraces the mind, spirit and body. The Wenatchee Valley Sports Foundation is providing the umbrella under which Live for Adventure Race runs.
For more information, go on-line to www.live4adventure.org. |
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB/RIPKEN FOUNDATION WANT IN
(Wenatchee, WA)...Over 30 people gathered Wednesday at the Confluence Technology Center to hear a presentation about bringing the Boys & Girls Club along with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation into North Central Washington. Through a program called "Badges for Baseball," the Ripken Foundation teams up with area law enforcement to conduct baseball clinics. The goal is to reach out to at-risk youth in communities throughout North Central Washington and improve relations between cops and kids.
On hand at Wednesday's meeting were Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna, who endorses the "Badges for Baseball" program. In addition, Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Vice President Chuck Brady; Snohomish County Boys & Girls Club Director Bill Tsukalas; East Wenatchee Mayor Steve Lacy; Chelan County Sheriff Brian Burnett; and Wenatchee Police Chief Tom Robbins were present.
 Brady says this program has already impacted over 750,000 youth throughout the United States. He says "Badges for Baseball" follows the model provided by Cal Ripken, Sr. He said when Ripken coaches in Major League and Minor League Baseball, he'd take the opportunity when traveling into various cities grab a sack of baseballs and his Fungo bat to search out neighborhoods of disadvantaged kids and hit them grounders and fly balls. Then, through the fun of baseball, he'd teach life lessons about being good and doing the right thing and making good choices. Following Ripken, Senior's death, his famous baseball sons Cal, Jr. and Billy began the Foundation in his name.
The plan for North Central Washington is to hold clinics in five different communities this spring. Each participant would receive a t-shirt, shorts, hat and a new Rawlings glove. Law enforcement volunteers would seek out at least 100 deserving youngsters to participate and help conduct the clinics. A working three-year budget was set at $225,000 to put on a total of 15 clinics. Success in these early steps would roll into a larger goal with Boys & Girls Clubs.
Eventually, according to Tsukalas and Brady, they'd like to see the construction of a Boys & Girls Club central hub in the Wenatchee Valley that would include a 40-thousand square foot indoor facility and five outdoor fields. One of the fields would be dedicated for baseball/softball only while the other four would be multi-purpose facilities with Field Turf for baseball, softball and soccer.  The land identified for such a project belongs to Mark McNaughton, who happens to have ties with both the Ripken Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs. His 50-acres is on Grant Road in East Wenatchee, just West of Nile. Currently, according to Tsukalas, the estimated cost to build the entire facility would be $4- to $4.5-million. He said if the community shows strong interest and gets involved with the Boys & Girls Club through the Ripken Foundation's "Badges for Baseball" program, half of the anticipated costs would be borne by outside sources in the form of grants.
The next step is for local volunteers to step up and run with the "Badges for Baseball" project. Brady said the Ripken Foundation would need to have locals identify the five communities where the clinics would take place. Discussion at Wednesday's meeting pointed toward Omak/Okanogan, Brewster, Wenatchee, East Wenatchee and Cashmere.
Wednesday's meeting was organized by local attorney Pete Fraley of Odgen Murphy Wallace, P.L.L.C. and Cass Gebbers of Gebbers Farms out of Brewster. For more information or to volunteer, email Meredith Alcombrack at malcombrack@omwlaw.com or call 509-662-1954. |
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The Town Toyota Center gets new DOS
After an exhaustive search, The Town Toyota Center announces a new Director of Sales. Anthony McCarty has been hired to replace outgoing DOS Linda Haglund, who stepped down after 5-years with the arena.
McCarty is a Seattle transplant that has lived in Wenatchee with his wife for the past year. Formally in Sales and Marketing with Firefly of Wenatchee, "McCarty brings a new set of eyes to the job", says Linda Haglund. "His sales experience and computer knowledge is also a plus'.
McCarty has spent his first week as incoming DOS, in training with Linda Haglund. Introductions to premium seat holders and arena vendors have been made, and McCarty is ready to take on the job, solo, on Monday, January 31st. |
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February 4-5 - Wenatchee Wild vs. Alaska Avalanche at Town Toyota Center, 7:05/7:05
February 5 - Coca-Cola/Revolution Jankity Junk Rail Jam at Mission Ridge
February 4-6 - Wenatchee Apple Cup Squirt/Mite Hockey Tournament at Town Toyota Ctr.
February 4-6 - Hampton Cup Ski Race at Mission Ridge
February 5-6 - 14th Cascade Classic AAU Girls Basketball Tournament for grades 6th-8th
February 5-6 - Lake Chelan Apple Classic AAU Boys Basketball Tourney for grades 6th-8th
February 11-13 - 11th Annual Eastmont AAU Boys and Girls Basketball Tournament
February 12-13 - 14th Cascade Classic AAU Boys Basketball Tournament for grades 6th-8th
February 12-13 - Lake Chelan Apple Classic AAU Boys & Girls Basketball Tourney
February 16 - Harlem Globetrotters at Town Toyota Center, 6pm
February 18 - Wenatchee Wild vs. Dawson Creek Rage at Town Toyota Center, 7:05
February 18 - Wenatchee Wild vs. Dawson Creek Rage at Town Toyota Center, 7:05
February 18-20 - 2011 Eastmont Winter Classic AAU Boys & Girls Basketball Tournament
February 19-20 - Lake Chelan Apple Classic AAU Girls Basketball Tournament
February 19-21 - Wenatchee Apple Cup Bantam House Hockey Tournament
February 26-27 - Lake Chelan Apple Classic AAU Boys Basketball Tournament
February 26 - 23rd Annual Hog Löppet cross country ski trek from Mission Ridge to Blewett
February 27 - Smuckers Stars On Ice featuring Evan Lysacek at Town Toyota Center, 4pm
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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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