Badger State Winter Games in trouble
WAUSAU — The primary host for the Badger State Winter Games is withdrawing its support, jeopardizing the future of one of the nation’s largest Olympics-style winter sports festivals in Wausau.
The Wausau/Central Wisconsin Convention & Visitors Bureau said it will not pay the tens of thousands of dollars in fees to host the event after 2010. Executive Director Darien Schaefer said Friday the economic benefits to the area aren’t high enough anymore.
Wausau has hosted the winter games for 21 years.
Jessica Gamney, a spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Sports Development Corp., which organizes the games, said the games could continue to be based in Wausau if a new primary sponsor is found. ——— Information from: Wausau Daily Herald, http://www.wausaudailyherald.com
Nov 14, 2009 at 1:40 p.m.
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Wasn't it two years ago that Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation wanted an extra $30,000 more from the City of Madison to keep the Summer Games? When WSDC couldn't produce basic economic impact numbers, Madison declined to pay the extra dollars and WSDC quickly moved the Summer Games to Appleton. WSDC didn't care about the history of the event. WSDC based its decision on money. Now they can't justify the cost of the Winter Games to Wausau.
The Badger State Games are run by a corporation, not a community. They can say they care about the kids...but don't let them kid you...it's about the money.
Nov 13, 2009 at 11:35 p.m.
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Bummer....
Nov 13, 2009 at 1:24 p.m.
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Thats too bad for all the kids who participate.
Hopefully they can find a sponsor.
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