FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gene Eklin, President
Mount Itasca Biathlon Association
218-247-7726
May 17, 2001
Mt. Itasca Schedule Promises $2 Million Economic Impact
Coleraine, MN --
Mt. Itasca, northern Minnesota's year-round training center in the making, has scheduled a host of training and competition events for the upcoming year. The current schedule is estimated to have an economic impact of $2 million on the area. And there's still room for more events.
This year's schedule includes 100 practice days each for biathlon training and junior ski jumping training. Mt. Itasca will host a multitude of regional skiing, biathlon, or jumping events and five national-level competitions in the combined summer and winter season. In addition to recreational skiing and snowboarding, 50 days of practice each are also planned for alpine, snowboard, Nordic combined and cross country disciplines.
We knew that Mt. Itasca Biathlon Center would be a boon to Coleraine and the surrounding area, said Pete Axford, mayor of the City of Coleraine. We just didn t realize it would take so little time to start to feel the impact.
When completed, the Mount Itasca site will be one of three Centers of Excellence in the United States, as endorsed by the United States Biathlon Association (USBA). Plans for the million-dollar project include 2.5 kilometers of new competition trails, additional recreational trails, a 30-point biathlon shooting range, snowmaking, facility upgrades and a European-style biathlon and Nordic spectator-friendly stadium. The course and range will meet international standards to host all biathlon and Nordic skiing events.
The Mount Itasca Biathlon Center will be a year-round competition, training and recreational facility. Strategic partners in the venture include Mount Itasca Biathlon Association, Minnesota Biathlon Community Olympic Development Program (CODP), USBA, the Minnesota Shooting Sports Education Center, Itasca Ski and Outing Club, the Greenway Joint Recreation Board and the City of Coleraine.
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