From the sidelines
Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Christiansburg, Radford and Pulaski hosted the Elite Select World Series this past week with over 30 teams playing, staying and eating in the three communities, thus creating a major economic impact on the area.
But, this is nothing new; the New River Valley has hosted its share of major events for youth sports. A second baseball tournament this weekend will bring over 50 teams and thousands of spectators to the area. The Christiansburg Aquatics Center will also host over 1,000 swimmers in a major swim meet.
Additionally, an AAU basketball tournament at the Christiansburg Recreation Center will draw another 30-40 teams with family and friends.
This means close to 5,000 visitors and players came to our area in the past 10 days. This is major for the place that has labeled itself “the place to play.”
Look for more sporting events to keep the door open to visitors for the rest of the year. These tournaments have a major economic impact on local businesses, restaurants and hotels.
Christiansburg’s public information office said that it’s going to be a busy month at the Aquatic Center as the facility will host three large swim meets in the coming weeks.
On July 14-16, the Christiansburg Aquatic Center will welcome the Summer Awards Swim Championship to the facility. This is a USA Swimming meet featuring the top age group swimmers in the region. Admission to the meet is charged.
The competition pool will close be closed Friday, July 14 and will remain closed until the morning of Monday, July 17. The leisure and therapy pools will also be closed during this time.
The Virginia Swimming Age Group Championship will be held at the Aquatic Center from July 20-23. This is a USA Swimming meet featuring the top age group swimmers in Virginia. The meet begins in the afternoon on July 20.
The competition pool will close at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 20 and will remain closed until the morning of Monday, July 24. The leisure and therapy pools will close at noon on Thursday, July 20 and remain closed until the morning of Monday, July 24.
The Aquatic Center will host the Roanoke Valley Aquatic Association City/County Championship from July 28-29. The meet will feature swimmers of all ages.
The competition pool will close Friday, July 28 and will reopen at 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 30. The leisure and therapy pools will also be closed during this time.
Because of the large number of participants at these swim meets, there will be overflow parking at Christiansburg High School (close to the football field) with a free shuttle to the Aquatic Center.
