WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) – The local convention and visitors bureau will no longer fund the Badger State Winter Games but a spokeswoman for the game's organization says that doesn't mean the competitive events will leave the Wausau area.
The Wausau/Central Wisconsin Convention and Visitor’s Bureau announced Friday that it will redirect the game host fees on other events that will generate more of an economic impact for the region.
The bureau will not extend its contract with the Wisconsin Sports Development Corporation to be the primary host for the games after the deal expires next year.
Corporation spokeswoman Jessica Gammey said they tried to negotiate a lower fee but the visitors bureau did not submit a proposal.
The bureau made the decision to withdraw as the host community because of declining participation and because the games have expanded to other parts of the state. It found 300 fewer athletes participated in the games in 2009 than did in 2002.
Gammey said her organization will work with other funding sources, citing the games' rich tradition and 22-year history in the Wausau area.
“We'll work with whatever we have to work with going forward,” Gammey said.
Two new events, meanwhile, are expected to raise significant revenues for hotels and local businesses.
The Patriot Center at the Cedar Creek Mall will host the Wisconsin World Championships the first weekend in December. The championship is the second leg of a tri-state belt wrestling tournament for elementary and high school students. It will draw in 1,000 room nights and generate an impact of $570,000.
And a 64-team hockey tournament will take place on four ice sheets in the Wausau area over New Year’s weekend. The event will replace the youth hockey games that the WSDC moved to Milwaukee.
That event will 2,000 room nights and generate an impact of $873,000.
