Cleveland Gets 2009 US Nationals

[PAskate]

http://www.usfsa.org/event_story.asp?id=37050

[Debbie S]

http://www.usfsa.org/event_story.asp?id=37050

I think Cleveland and Portland were the finalists. Now, as far as I know, the new rule for Nats bidding (starting with '07 when they stopped rotating Nats between the 3 sections) is that any club not in the section hosting Nats the previous year can bid - with '08 Nats in St. Paul (Midwest), it doesn't seem that Cleveland should have been able to bid. Plus, with Nats in Portland 2 years ago, why were they so close to getting it again?

I wish the USFSA would go back to rotating Nats between sections. As it stands now, it will be at least 6 years (2004-2010) since Nats was on the east coast. I was hoping Boston would get Nats for '09, since they came so close to hosting Worlds - hopefully, they will bid for '10. They did a great job hosting in '01.

I suspect most people (like me, if I'm in the position to go to a weeklong sporting event then) will prefer to go to Worlds in '09 rather than Nats - hey, what's better, Cleveland in Jan or L.A. in March?

[Debbie S]

LOL, PAskate, you and I had the same idea at the same time!

Moderators, is there a way to merge the 2 threads?

[Isk8NYC]

Merged 'em! Thanks for posting this news - both of you!

[Schmeck]

I thought '01 Nationals in Boston was very well done as well. I've also been hoping for a venue closer to this end of the country - especially since we have to travel to Colorado Springs in Feb. (during vacation) for Synchro Nationals. Who in the world thought that sending hundreds of skaters into one of the busiest skiing areas during the peak skiing week was a good idea?

Anyways, I can't afford to fly/stay anywhere for Nationals these next 2-3 years, at least until Icy can pay her own skating bills... so I second the notion for Boston '10! It would have been nice to have been able to go to Skate America when it was nearby, but I had other obligations. :(

[PAskate]

Having been to both Nationals in Cleveland and LA, I would go back to an event in Cleveland any time, but you couldn't pay me enough money to attend Worlds in LA. I understand the sponsorship deals that made LA an attractive bid, but for the average spectator it isn't a win. While I would definitely call Cleveland an midwestern city, I expect to some people that it's close enough that they would consider it "East".

[Mel On Ice]

if volunteering is set up in '09 the way it was in '00, I'll sign up today. St. Louis and Cleveland did an excellent job taking care of its free work force.

[JOHIO2]

Merry Christmas to all!

Nationals was a nice Christmas present for Cleveland. Funny thing, though. The NBC affiliate made a bigger deal of the announcement than the ABC affiliate did. Go figure.

The only complaints about Cleveland's hosting the 2000 Nationals involved using the rinks at Winterhurst (in Lakewood, where I live) for the novice competition. The bid this time involved using Public Hall for practice ice and probably the novice competition. Public Hall is part of an older downtown complex, consisting of Public Hall, Music Hall and the Cleveland Convention Center. All of these venues are underused these days, so I'm thrilled to hear that they will be involved. These older public venues are usually considered obsolete but I have great memories of events in all 3. The alternative to Public Hall is the new event center at Cleveland State University. It's a newer facility but farther away from the Quicken Loans Arena, which will be the center of the event.

Cleveland throws a great party so all of you who are thinking of coming, come-on-down! The Euclid Avenue Project will be finished before then and while Euclid is dead now because of the construction, business will definitely be back. This project improves transportation from Public Square through the Playhouse Square district and the Cleveland Clinic to University Circle. University Circle is home to Case Western Reserve U. and many cultural institutions like the Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Museum of Art (which is finishing its own expansion project) and other museums, like Natural History, Children's and Western Reserve Historical Society.

Downtown has hotels and food and entertainment. Besides the theater complex at Playhouse Square, there is a newer center for entertainment surrounding the House of Blues, which is a few blocks away from the arena. Michael Simon (one of those celebrity chefs you may have seen on Food Network) just opened a new restaurant there and there is also a funky bar/bowling alley just opened there too. Haven't had a chance (or the bucks!) to check these out yet, but the House of Blues is spectacular. There are other eateries around the Gateway Center, where the arena is. And the Arena is attached by an underground walkway to the Tower City complex, which includes shopping and eating and the rapid transit hub. (a mere train ride to Cleveland Hopkins Airport)

And don't forget the Rock Hall of Fame and the Great Lakes Science Center, which are also downtown.

We'll be waiting to welcome you to our hometown!

[PAskate]

The only complaints about Cleveland's hosting the 2000 Nationals involved using the rinks at Winterhurst (in Lakewood, where I live) for the novice competition. The bid this time involved using Public Hall for practice ice and probably the novice competition. Public Hall is part of an older downtown complex, consisting of Public Hall, Music Hall and the Cleveland Convention Center. All of these venues are underused these days, so I'm thrilled to hear that they will be involved. These older public venues are usually considered obsolete but I have great memories of events in all 3. The alternative to Public Hall is the new event center at Cleveland State University. It's a newer facility but farther away from the Quicken Loans Arena, which will be the center of the event.

There's also a direct public bus route that runs directly from Quicken Loans Arena to the CSU Arena. The news that I had heard was that they were hoping to use the CSU facility.

[Meredith]

Having been to both Nationals in Cleveland and LA, I would go back to an event in Cleveland any time, but you couldn't pay me enough money to attend Worlds in LA. I understand the sponsorship deals that made LA an attractive bid, but for the average spectator it isn't a win. While I would definitely call Cleveland an midwestern city, I expect to some people that it's close enough that they would consider it "East".

I thought Cleveland Nationals was run very well and was pleased that the event will return. I'm trying to figure out a way to go to both Nationals and Worlds, but it appears unlikely.

PAskate, could you elaborate on your comments about the sponsorship deals for Worlds? Having attended LA Nationals, I'm extremely interested.

[PAskate]

PAskate, could you elaborate on your comments about the sponsorship deals for Worlds? Having attended LA Nationals, I'm extremely interested.

Apparently one of the key pluses in the LA bid for Worlds was that they had already lined up key sponsorships for the event that made it a very attractive financial arrangement.

[blue111moon]

Having been to both Nationals in Cleveland and LA, I would go back to an event in Cleveland any time, but you couldn't pay me enough money to attend Worlds in LA.


I absolutely agree. The only thing warm about LA was the weather, whereas Cleveland has to top my list of the friendliest cities I've ever been in. I'll go back there in a minute. LA for Worlds - well, only if I win the lottery and have money to burn.

[Meredith]

Apparently one of the key pluses in the LA bid for Worlds was that they had already lined up key sponsorships for the event that made it a very attractive financial arrangement.

O.K. I understand. Too bad the host cities for Worlds and Nationals aren't reversed -- if LA has to get one of the gigs, that is.

[PAskate]

O.K. I understand. Too bad the host cities for Worlds and Nationals aren't reversed -- if LA has to get one of the gigs, that is.

Actually Cleveland was in the running for Worlds, but lost to LA. They also bid for Worlds when they were in DC in 2003 and just lost out. I hope that they continue to try.