2015 Commonwealth Games expected to boost local economy with new attractions

2015 Commonwealth Games expected to boost local economy with new attractions (Image 1) (Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved)

SALEM (WSLS10) - Southwest Virginia is gearing up for the 26th annual Commonwealth Games, with opening ceremonies only six weeks away.

The games are an amateur competition with 60 different sports attracting nearly 4,000 people to the area.

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The president of Virginia Amateur Sports Inc., Peter Lampman, said the games generated $2.5 million for Southwest Virginia in 2014.

"Over the 25 years, we feel like we've probably done $70-75 million in economic impact over the Valley. It's a great return to the valleys support to the dollar they've provided us," Lampman said.

Lampman said 2015 could bring even more. The games have grown by two to three percent each year and organizers hope this year's new attractions will mean new interest in the games and more dollars spent. 

Nine new games growing in popularity have been added. Four of those events will take place between Lynchburg and Roanoke, including foot golf, skateboarding, snowboarding and fling golf. Additions organizers hope will draw in more crowds. 

The news games are also appealing because they are less expensive to play.

2015's games also bring a change of venue for opening ceremonies - from the Bergland Center to the Red Sox Stadium in Salem.

The change is a marketing bonus for both the team and the Commonwealth Games. Allen Lawrence, Assistant General Manager for the Red Sox, said the organization is proud to host the athletes and excited about the potential revenue.

"Having the athletes out at the hometown team, a local baseball team, I think makes a lot of sense for them and for us as well," Lawrence said. "It gives us the opportunity to bring in a lot of people to the ball park for one of our Friday night home game. Both parties are extremely excited for the possibility."

That's a combination organizers hope will boost participation in the games, which will also bring in more revenue for the area.