County contributes $6,000 to support Middletown School District's bid to host state sports championships

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

Section 9 is comprised of schools from Orange, Sullivan, Ulster and Dutchess counties.
• 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.
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.
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,” Orange County Tourism Director Susan 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.”