It doesn’t seem like that long ago the Mid-Hudson Valley was hosting its first Empire State Games, thanks in great part to the efforts of former Dutchess County legislator Jim Hammond. And after just a four-year absence, the Games will be returning to the area in 2009 to help commemorate Henry Hudson’s historic exploration of the Hudson River 400 years ago.
“To turn around and have the games back after only four years is remarkable,” said Hammond, now retired. “Many communities put in bids. This demonstrates that the state and the sponsors of the Games were very pleased with the way the games went off (in 2005).”
The Empire State Games feature almost 6,000 amateur athletes from New York State competing in 28 different Olympic-style sports.
“We took a stab at (getting the Games) because of the anniversary,” said Charles North, president and CEO of the Poughkeepsie Chamber of Commerce. “We were hopeful. I think last time we showed the people at the Empire State Games what a beautiful area we have and how well we coordinated the effort between all three counties.”
North said there was a significant increase in regional revenue during the 2005 event.
“The total region certainly saw a positive blip on the screen,” said North. “Hotels and food services took the lead, of course. But another advantage was that people who had never really been here before gained knowledge about the region. It’s hard to track the numbers, but I have heard that people who attended the games have come back to visit places like the Culinary Institute, the wine trail and the FDR Historic Site.”
He added that the economic boon the Games brought to the valley in 2005 could be even more significant two years from now.
“The people we have working for the Games know what to expect now,” he said. “They’ll market it to the specific groups that are coming in.”
Not just about the money
Besides the economic impact, the 2005 Games had other important effects on the Mid-Hudson Valley community.
“There was a great sense of pride and spirit in the community in the period leading up to the Games and while the Games were going on,” said Tim Massie, Marist College’s chief public affairs officer. Marist was the host site and operation center for the 2005 Games and the host site for the opening ceremonies. The college was also a venue for many of the athletic contests and housed nearly 1,800 athletes.
“A lot of people volunteered because they wanted to represent their hometown,” Massie continued. “The whole thing went off without a hitch. People were worried about traffic problems, but there were minimal issues. Hotels were packed. Restaurants did well. There was a real sense of pride among everybody involved because of how smoothly everything went.”
Massie is excited about the 2009 Games and said Marist will be heavily involved again.
“We’ll be in an even better situation,” he said, citing upcoming renovations to many of the college’s sports facilities. “I have a feeling we’ll be asked to host the opening ceremonies again since we’re right on the river and the focus will be on the 400th anniversary.”
Massie added that he hopes to avoid the sophomore jinx.
“We can’t rest on our laurels,” he said. “Just because things went well before doesn’t mean we can’t improve. We have to look at what we can do to make the experience better.”
One of the things that encouraged organizers about the Games in 2005 (and bodes well for 2009) was the seamless way Dutchess, Orange and Ulster counties were able to cooperate.
“It was truly a regional effort and event,” said North. “That’s a rare occurrence. It’s such a positive message to send out that the river is not a divider. It was really a successful approach and achievement.”
And though ecstatic that the 2009 event will coincide with the celebration of Henry Hudson’s trip, North is simply happy to have the Games again.
“Just to have the Games again is an honor,” he said.