Without an investment of $100 million from New York
taxpayers, Lake Placid might lose its hold as the home of winter sports in
America. Park City, Utah is the frontrunner in towns to replace Lake Placid,
and has already thrown millions of dollars into its facilities. The facilities
in Lake Placid are outdated and worn out and are outmatched in every way by
Park City’s facilities. Unfortunately, the future doesn’t look too bright for
Lake Placid who will be devastated both economically and culturally by the
loss. The big worry is without the Olympic athletes and facilities, what will
draw tourists and keep the town afloat?
A 2015 proposal, for an award of $500 million from Albany
for a major investment in the facilities in Lake Placid and a bid for the 2026
Olympics, was turned down for better options. If the necessary money to keep
the facilities up to date was denied once, who’s to say it won’t be denied
again? The city itself does not have nearly the amount of funds needed to turn
itself around, and without some sort of grant, there’s little doubt that Park
City will get the call. According to Jim Leahy, the head of USA Luge, “If the
infrastructure is not improved across the board, Lake Placid will become a
footnote in history,” marking the end of an era.
What is Lake Placid without the Olympic Village? It’s just
another Adirondack town with a small population of people doing whatever they
have to, to survive. Tourism to the area will likely drop off dramatically, and
in a relatively short time frame, devastating countless businesses and the town’s
economy as a whole. Couple that with the effects of climate change on winter
activities, and Lake Placid will really have very little to offer. Not only
does the loss of the Olympic Training Center hurt the economy, but it changes
the whole dynamic of the town. Lake Placid, culturally, is known for its winter
sports and that’s what brings people to visit. Without the Olympics and the
people that it brings, what will be left of Lake Placid?
http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/31145/20160229/will-lake-placid-become-a-footnote-in-winter-sports
This is a fascinating problem! I can't imagine that the town will receive much investment to redo all of the facilities, and as you said it doesn't stand up to other facilities! I'm curious what kind of alternatives the economy will turn to. I'm sure they will capitalize on the nostalgic feeling even more, though they cannot be dependent on the Olympics anymore! It'll be interesting to see what happens.
ReplyDeleteThis is sad to hear, especially because Lake Placid is essentially the one economically successful town in the middle of the park, instead of on the outskirts. I hope things work out somehow- Like Jack, I wonder what alternatives they are considering. I also wonder if nothing did happen, would the old olympic stadium still hold importance as a relic of the past, or would it lose its value with the loss of the athletes?
ReplyDelete