Fort Wayne to host 3 new sports events in 2013

Fort Wayne will be host to three new grand sporting events in 2013, which Mayor Tom Henry hopes will have a positive effect for the city's economic development.

"Each competitor will feel Hoosier Hospitality while here in Fort Wayne, I'm sure, and we know they will leave our city with great memories," Henry said.

The Junior Volleyball Association Girls Midwest Power League Championships will be at the SportOne Parkview Fieldhouse June 14 to 16. It will be hosted by the Midwest Power League.

The U.S. Olympic Curling Arena Club National Championship will be at the Lutheran Health SportsCenter July 18 to 21. It will be hosted by the Fort Wayne Curling Club.

And the Women's Flat Track Derby Association's Playoff Tournament, hosted by the Fort Wayne Derby Girls, will be Sept. 6 to 8 at Memorial Coliseum.

"We have three new tournaments coming to Fort Wayne in 2013," said Dan O'Connell of Visit Fort Wayne. "These tournaments are very unique in that they represent sports you don't normally think of (along with) basketball, hockey or soccer, which are very big around here.

"These are very special events and we want to thank the leadership of the local chapters and local clubs that helped bring them here, and also to thank the facilities, some of the new facilities, that help in the economic spending in our community through business."

The events were helped by a grants program funded by the city, intended to help grow sports tourism.

"Fort Wayne has a long and proud history of sports," Henry said. "Before taking office, one of my first initiatives was to bring more visitors to our community. That included offering new and exciting sports. The commitment of these three tournaments are helping to meet that goal.

"We're excited to welcome these groups to Fort Wayne in 2013. In total, we believe these sports will bring in over 4,000 people and contribute more than $500,000 toward economic impact for our community.

"That means jobs. It helps sustain jobs and create jobs, while bringing new money into our local businesses."

jcohn@jg.net