Sports Editor
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The calendar may show that fall is just around the corner, but for the Nordic Heritage Center, winter cannot come fast enough. Plans are already under way for a major winter activity that will draw hundreds of athletes from around the nation to Aroostook County, providing a much-needed economic boost to the area. The 2010 USSA Cross Country Junior Olympic Championships will be held at the Nordic Heritage Center March 6-14, 2010. The last time Maine hosted this event was in 1996 at Black Mountain.
Two local businesses — The Aroostook Medical Center and Key Bank — were announced Thursday, as major sponsors for the event. TAMC will be a “platinum” sponsor, contributing $30,000 for the event, while Key Bank will be a “volunteer” sponsor after donating $20,000 for the cause.
Planning for this event, which will bring the top young athletes to Presque Isle to compete in Nordic and Freestyle cross country skiing events, has been on-going for several months, according to Tim Doak, event director for the 2010 Junior Olympics.
“Sponsorships are critical to the success of events held at Nordic Heritage Center,” Doak said. “We have set a high standard on the world stage because, in part, we have had the financial support of local organizations and businesses. And with TAMC and Key Bank taking the lead, we are hopeful that others will step forward with sponsorship commitments.”
According to Doak, the event will have largest number of participants coming to the area of any event yet to take place in Aroostook County. More than 700 visitors, including 400 athletes and 200 team staff members are anticipated to make the trek to Maine for the event, which should provide an economic boost to the area, particularly with lodging and restaurants.
The 2010 Junior Olympics Cross Country championships will see athletes between the ages of 14-19 competing for the national title. The number of athletes participating in the event is nearly double from the last major event held at the center. In 2006, Nordic Heritage Center hosted the Biathlon World Championships, which featured 226 athletes from 28 nations.
The 2009 Junior Olympic event was held in Truckee, Calif.
In its seventh year of sponsoring events, TAMC has a long history of supporting events at the Nordic Heritage Center. Dave Peterson, chief executive officer and president of TAMC, said the connection between the two groups was only natural.
“TAMC and the Nordic Heritage Sport Club have been strong partners since the club’s inception,” Peterson said. “The club’s mission of promoting healthy outdoor recreation goes hand-in-hand with TAMC’s desire to improve the health of our community. It’s a partnership that benefits the community, The Aroostook Medical Center, and the Nordic Heritage Sport Club.”
Peterson added TAMC employees have been very active as volunteers during events and anticipates a high level of participation during the 2010 Junior Olympics.
Key Bank has also been a major sponsor at several Nordic Heritage events through the years, and most recently played a major role in the 2006 Junior Biathlon Championships.
“We are extremely pleased and proud to be named the Volunteer Sponsor of the 2010 USSA Cross Country Junior Olympics,” said Steven L. Gagnon, senior vice president and business banking sales leader for Key Bank. “Key [Bank] has a long-standing tradition of giving back to the communities we serve, and actively encourage volunteerism and community support from our employees. This sponsorship simply reinforces Key’s commitment to this philosophy, as well as our support and encouragement of active, healthy lifestyles.”
The USSA’s vision is to make the United States the best in the world in Olympic skiing and snowboarding. Its mission is to provide strong leadership that establishes and supports athletic excellence in accordance with its core values.
The event will be run almost entirely by volunteers. While several community people have offered their support, the committee is still seeking to identify volunteers to help run the event. Those interested in providing assistance should contact Mary Lawrence at 768-9502 or by email at mary.l.Lawrence@umpi.edu.
