e n i a l CityConnect B
W W W . C I . B L A I N E . M N . U S
July/August 2011
Blaine Welcomes 3M Championship, Schwan’s USA Cup this Summer
Tens of thousands of visitors will again descend on Blaine this summer for two major annual sporting events. The Schwan’s USA Cup, billed as the largest soccer tournament in the Western Hemisphere, will bring 13,000 players on more than 840 teams from 26 states and 12 countries to the National Sports Center from July 19-23. Special traffic controls will be in place on both 105th Avenue and Davenport Street near the National Sports Center.
A week later, the 3M Championship will be held at the Tournament Players Club - Twin Cities. The tournament runs Aug. 1-7 and features several days of events leading up to three days of stroke play golf on the weekend. Admission, parking and shuttles will be free for the third consecutive year. Public parking is available at the Anoka County-Blaine Airport. Detailed information is available at www.3mchampionship.com .
U of M Study Analyzes Economic Impact of 3M Championship A study by the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Community Vitality revealed precisely how valuable the 3M Championship golf tournament is to Blaine and the rest of the region. The study looked at the economic impact of the 2010 3M Championship, concluding that the tournament operator, visitors and vendors spent $11.1 million in the region while hosting and attending the event. When indirect and induced expenditures are included, the total economic impact totals $18.7 million. In order to create that output, an estimated 192 full- and part-time jobs were created. Of those, 122 were directly created by operator, visitor and vendor spending; the other 70 were due to the ripple effects of the spending. The jobs paid $7 million in labor
income, of which $3.7 million was directly created as a result of spending by tournament attendees, operators and vendors. The results are dependant on attendance and spending estimates. Varying the estimates by 25 percent results in a total economic impact of $17 to $20.5 million. An additional $3 to $6 million spent on corporate marketing campaigns are a significant tertiary benefit of the event but are not included in those numbers, as they are not a transaction of the event itself.
Parking Passes Now Required at Lakeside Commons Park All vehicles utilizing the public parking lot at Lakeside Commons Park this summer must have a city-issued parking pass. Seasonal parking passes are free for Blaine residents; non-residents may purchase a seasonal pass for $20 or a oneday pass for $5. Parking passes will be available during normal business hours (8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) from the Parks and Recreation Department at Blaine City Hall. Blaine residents must present photo identification with proof of residency to acquire a parking pass. Nonresidents may purchase daily or seasonal parking passes with cash or check only. Parking passes will also be available in the boathouse at Lakeside Commons Park during normal hours of operation. This parking policy is effective through Aug. 28 and will be enforced daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Lakeside Commons Park & Beach Park Hours: 5 a.m. – 10 p.m. Beach: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Splash Pad: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Boathouse: 1 – 6 p.m. (M-F) noon – 6 p.m. (Sat-Sun) Canoe & Kayak Rental: $7/hour