LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (WCAX) – More international competitions are on the horizon for Lake Placid. It’s a testament to how the state has invested millions in its historic Olympic venues to attract future events, including as a possible alternate site for the 2026 Winter Olympic sliding games.
Renovations, financial support, and a love for sport have kept Lake Placid facilities in top-notch condition, as local officials continue to bill the venues as some of the best places to compete and train in North America.
“As a former host to two Olympic games, I mean, very few cities can say that. And I think it is an important piece of our legacy that we protect,” said Ashley Walden, CEO and president of the Olympic Regional Development Authority.
She says the venues used during 1932 and 1980 Olympics have continued to hold international, regional, and local events year-round. “As we have seen coming off the Paris Olympics, the athletes that are competing — it is their full-time job. They need to be able to practice year-round,” Walden said.
North Elba Town Supervisor Derek Doty says long-term investments have been key in keeping the venues in good shape. “We were the recipients of certainly around $600 million to bring those venues back up to par, which translates to years of sustainability in the sports world,” he said.
A helping hand that Walden says is often missing in some host cities. “I think one of the reasons why Lake Placid and ORDA have been so successful is because the state understood from the onset that their would be a need for that and they continue to invest in that,” she said.
And the investments are paying off. Studies show the facilities have generated roughly $340 million annually for the region. Doty says the real success is due to the attitudes of Adirondack residents. “We are solely reliant on visitors. So, there is a culture here to always treat that person — no matter where you meet them on your street — they are helping your livelihood,” he said.
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