2009 Junior Olympics

    PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – The city has once again been selected to hold a world-class sports event, with the recent announcement by Nordic Heritage Sports Center officials that it has been selected as the New England Region’s choice to host the 2009 USSA Junior Olympic Championships to be held in March of that year.
   As with the 2006 IBU Biathlon Youth / Junior World Championships, organizers expect between 600 and 700 visitors to the region over an eight-day period, which translates to an economic boost for local businesses and the Aroostook County tourism industry.
Officials estimate the event will bring nearly $2 million into the local economy.
“The immediate economic impact of the Junior Olympics coming to Presque Isle is significant,” stated Max Saenger, MWSC vice president.
Saenger recognized the significance of bringing such a large number of people to the region and the impact their presence will have on the local economy.
“This event will attract over 400 athletes, 100 team staff and as many as 200 parents to Aroostook County in the month of March. Depending on the quality of the snowmobile season, this could really be a big boost for our local tourist industry,” Saenger continued.
The announcement served to enhance the efforts of one local organization in its effort to attract developers to northern Maine.
“This is a significant boon to the County – not just economically. Bringing additional people here will benefit local restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, retailers and more. At the same time it provides more visibility and credibility to northern Maine as a place to visit – a destination to go, to vacation in,” said Walt Elish, president and CEO of Aroostook Partnership for Progress.
From a Partnership perspective, Elish said this is very good news for the County and, “our efforts in attracting additional tourists to the area.”
Elish said he’s already used the upcoming event as a tool in trying to attract developers to northern Maine.
“I’ve already used the data to inform potential resort developers of what’s going on in Aroostook. This is a very noteworthy activity that will be taking place here and lends credibility to our efforts in promoting the region as a destination,” said Elish. “This is just one more element in our growing package that we can offer potential developers.”
Elish noted that while news of the Junior Olympics will enhance APP’s efforts to attract investors, potential resort developers want to see what takes place here throughout the year.
“They (developers) want to see what goes on here all year round, but by having two world-class events here bodes well for the County and our efforts,” said Elish. “It certainly puts us on the map.”
Elish said he is looking forward to the event and hopes news of the Junior Olympics will only serve to attract even more interest in the region.
“It’s definitely a feather in our cap and one we should be proud of. This gives us time to prepare for 2009 and show visitors what we really have to offer,” said Elish.
The Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce will be working closely with organizers to prepare for the upcoming Junior Olympics.
“The Chamber was very involved with the 2006 biathlon event and looks forward to working in partnership with the Maine Winter Sports Center through the planning process and Junior Olympics in March of 2009,” said Allen Deeves, executive director of the PIACC. “The timing of the event is perfect in that it coincides with the city’s birthday.”
A festive air will be on the community the year the sporting competition is scheduled, beginning before and lasting long after the eight-day event.
In addition to the Junior Olympics in 2009, the city of Presque Isle will also be celebrating its own sesquicentennial and anniversary.