By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — Kosciusko County is expected to see a burst of some unexpected economic activity during the second week of August.
That’s when the national ski show championships return unexpectedly after organizers in Rockford, Ill., balked because of prolonged flooding.
“They have been at 11 feet flood stage all summer,” said Lake City Skiers board president Randy Patrick.
Lake City Skiers hosted a regional tournament for the same reason earlier this month.
Soon after, Rockford asked the Warsaw organizers to do the same for the national tournament on Aug. 9, 10 and 11.
Warsaw hosted last year’s national tournament and has received rave reviews for their organizational efforts.
The recent show brought about 1,500 to Warsaw.
Patrick spoke about the impact the upcoming show will have.
“We’ll have 14 teams in town, probably around 4,000 to 5,000 people. They fill a lot of hotel rooms and restaurant seats and gas tanks,” Patrick said. “It’ll be a big event, for sure.”
Cory Humes, executive director for Kosciusko County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, said she was aware of the unexpected influx and says it’s good news.
“It is a very pleasant surprise. We’re very excited for the Lake City Skiers and Warsaw, Indiana,” Humes said.
“It does create a good economic impact because people are traveling from many different states to compete,” she added.
Humes points out that many ski teams rely on rivers in their home towns for tournaments and practice, whereas Warsaw is located on Hidden Lake in Warsaw and sometimes has an advantage.
The Lake City Skiers team has already qualified for the national tournament and leaders of the team are preparing Hidden Lake for the event.
“We’re already getting ready for that tournament,” Patrick added.
Hidden Lake is located west of SR 15 near the west end of Anchorage Road.
