County Executive Presents Middletown School District with $6K Check

From the Office of the County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus:

Popular athletic events collaboratively pump more than $1 million into the local economy.

Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus presented a check for $6,000 on behalf of the County on Tuesday to support the Enlarged City School District of Middletown’s proposals to secure future New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) championships.

Neuhaus was joined at the event at Middletown High School’s Faller Field by Middletown Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth Eastwood, David Coates, Middletown’s Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics, Orange County Tourism Director Susan Hawvermale and Orange County Legislators Jeff Berkman and Michael Paduch.

“Middletown has done a wonderful job hosting NYSPHSAA events,” Neuhaus said. “We all know how much athletics, especially on the youth and high school levels, mean to communities throughout Orange County. These contests are always well-attended, generate millions of dollars for Orange County’s economy and promote this area in a positive way. We certainly hope that Middletown is selected to host NYSPHSAA events for many years to come.”

Representing Section 9 athletics, Middletown High School has successfully hosted the state boys’ soccer semifinals and championships since 2010. Middletown will host the boys’ lacrosse finals in June and the boys’ and girls’ track and field championships in 2019. Section 9 is comprised of schools from Orange, Sullivan, Ulster and Dutchess counties.

The state boys’ soccer semifinals and championships at Middletown have generated about $500,000 annually for Orange County’s economy. The boys’ lacrosse final is expected to add about $250,000. The boys’ and girls’ track and field championship should generate approximately $500,000. The boys’ soccer event will remain in Middletown through 2017 and Middletown plans to bid to host from 2018-2020. Middletown will also bid to host the boys’ lacrosse championships in 2017-18, and the boys’ and girls’ track and field championships in 2020-22.

The funding from Orange County will assist Middletown in preparing these extremely competitive bids.

“Middletown has hosted state athletic championship events since 2010 and they have generated millions of dollars for Orange County’s economy,” said Dr. Kenneth Eastwood, Middletown Superintendent of Schools. “We are grateful that County Executive Neuhaus recognizes this impact. Orange County’s support will help us to continue to pursue more opportunities to host NYSPHSAA events that will ultimately bring more consumer dollars and tourists to Orange County.”

Any venue in the state has the ability, with sectional approval, to bid on a state championship. The following criteria are all reviewed by NYSPHSAA when considering venues: Location, size of the venue, quality of the facility, effectiveness of site committee, spectator interest, handicap accessibility, proposed expenses, parking, volunteerism, hotel room rates and availability, restaurants, security and sponsorship/community financial commitment.

“Tourism in Orange County has increased over the years due to a variety of sporting events,” Hawvermale said. “Thousands of people have come into Orange County for the state championships at Middletown and there has been an economic footprint. Middletown has done a wonderful job hosting these high-level state events and we look forward to them continuing to attract visitors to Orange County.”

For more information, contact Justin Rodriguez, Assistant to the County Executive for Communications and Media Relations at 845.291.3255 or jrodriguez@orangecountygov.com.

Photo: (From left to right) Legislators Jeff Berkman, Michael Paduch, Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus and David Coates, Middletown’s Director of Physical Education, Health and Athletics at the ceremony at Middletown High’s Faller Field on Tuesday.