Overall, according to USA Triathlon officials, the event featured a record field with nearly 700 triathletes.
“West Chester is a great location for this event,” said Jeff Dyrek, USA Triathlon’s national events director. “We’ve had great support from the community and all of the groups we’ve been working with. The athletes, their parents, the spectators and coaches have helped us make this event a success.”
On Sunday, Matthew Marquardt of Cincinnati won the male 13-to-15-year-old division – finishing the 200-meter swim, 10k bike and 2k run in 29:03 minutes. Thomas Carney of Liberty Township finished 15th in the same competition with a time of 32:46 minutes.
On Saturday, the Youth Elite and Junior Elite races featured some of nation’s best triathletes. The 16-to-19-year-old Junior Elites covered a 750m swim, a 20k bike and a 5k run while the 13-15-year-old Youth Elites did a 375m swim, 10k bike and 2.5k run.
For complete results and additional information about the event, visit usatriathlon.org.
Triathletes from across the country will convene on Voice of America Park in West Chester, Ohio, this weekend for the 2012 USA Triathlon Youth Junior National Championships. Some have been training in hopes to earn automatic nominations to the Junior Worlds team, while some beginners just hope to finish.
Among the event’s group of beginners are Maggie and Jonny Mize of Liberty Township. Both saw the event as interesting and challenging, as well as an opportunity to raise awareness for Kids Against Hunger, a charity they are both passionate about.
Maggie and Jonny Mize of Liberty Township are participating in the 2012 USA Triathlon Youth Junior National Championships at Voice of America Park in West Chester Aug. 11-12. Photo provided.
In the past, both Maggie, 14, and Jonny, 13, have participated in several local food-packaging efforts and recently they authored an e-book called “Mariella, the Cheerful, Helpful Hamster” from which they donate a portion of the proceeds to Kids Against Hunger.
Throughout their several months of training, Maggie and Jonny have become more fit and increased their stamina. The experience has also gotten their parents out to the park for runs and bike exercise.
You can cheer them on this weekend – they’ll be wearing “Kids Against Hunger” t-shirts – and the more than 700 triathletes, ages 7 to 19, competing in the Youth, Youth Elite and Junior Elite categories at the USA Triathlon Youth Junior National Championships. (more…)
More than 700 triathletes, ranging from beginners to potential future Olympians, will compete in the event. The athletes, ages 7 to 19, will compete in Youth, Youth Elite and Junior Elite categories.
According to the Butler County Visitors Bureau (BCVB), the event is expected to draw more than 1,600 visitors and bring in an estimated $500,000.
“We are excited to be a part of this prestigious youth sporting event,” said Mark Hecquet, executive director of the BCVB. “To have a sporting event of this magnitude come to our county will be a great boost for the local economy.”
The event runs from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday. It is free and open to the public.
Due to the nature of the event, which includes running, swimming and cycling, there will be some road closures in the vicinity of VOA Park.
Cox Road between Liberty Way and the northern most entrance to the VOA Retail Centre will be closed from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on both days of the event. In addition, Liberty Way between Cox Road and Butler Warren Road will be closed from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on each day. Emergency traffic only will be permitted during these times.
Access to all businesses will be maintained from Tylersville and Cox Road (south of VOA Park Drive). Motorists are encouraged to follow all posted detours while driving and to allow extra time to reach their destinations.
West Chester Township recently announced that it would continue its natural gas aggregation program with IGS Energy for an additional two years. Residents and businesses currently participating the township’s natural gas aggregation program will remain in the program unless they respond to the opt-out letter that was sent out last week.
The program will begin April 2012 (May 2012 billing cycle) and end in April 2014. The deadline to opt-out of the program is March 13. Once in the program, residents and business owners can leave the program at any time without penalty.
“We are pleased with the rates IGS has provided residents and small businesses participating in the township’s natural gas aggregation program,” Township Administrator Judi Boyko said. “While there is no guarantee of savings, collectively consumers in the program have saved more than $1.9 million.”
In addition to existing aggregation participants, newly eligible accounts should have received an opt-out letter from IGS Energy. Residents, who are now eligible for the program, will be added unless they contact IGS and ask not to be included.
West Chester residents and small business owners, who didn’t receive the opt-out letter, can seek enrollment in the township’s natural gas aggregation program by calling IGS Energy at 1-800-280-4474. All others questions about the program should also be directed to IGS.
Residents served by other suppliers are encouraged to review the terms and conditions of their current agreement, as many suppliers do charge a penalty for early termination. New customers to the program must be in good standing and cannot be part of the utility’s Percentage of Income Payment Program (PIPP).
“We are pleased to continue as West Chester’s natural gas supplier and look forward to growing the program’s enrollment,” said Doug Austin, vice president of IGS Energy.
Answers of frequently asked questions provided by the township(more…)
World Sports & Marketing in conjunction with the Butler County Visitors Bureau announced Wednesday that Voice of America Park in West Chester Township will be the location for the 2012 Nautique WWA Wakeboard National Championships.
It will be the first time in the event’s 23-year history that it will be held in the state of Ohio. The National Championships is scheduled to take place Aug. 2-5.
“We’re excited to bring the Nautique WWA Nationals to the Voice of America Park,” tournament director Chris Bischoff said in a release. “The park has the layout, vibe and local support we’re looking for to host an event of this magnitude.”
During the four-day event, West Chester expects to welcome more than 200 competitive riders, professional and amateur, from across the United States to compete in 22 skill-level divisions for national titles.
Results will establish the athletes to represent the United States at the WWA Wakeboard World Championships later this year.
“We are excited to host this prestigious professional event. To have West Chester serve as a host for a such exceptional event will have a tremendous economic impact for the venue, local businesses, hotels, restaurants, attractions and shopping venues.” said Mark Hecquet, executive director of the Butler County Visitors Bureau.
For more information on the 2012 Nautique WWA Nationals, visit KingofWake.com.
The triathlon event will take place Aug. 11-12 and has an estimated economic impact of $700,000, according to the Butler County Visitors Bureau. Visit usatriathlon.org for full event details.
“We are thrilled to serve as the host for this National Championship,” said Mark Hecquet, executive director of the BCVB. “With an expected 600 competitors and their families the economic impact will be felt across the county through our hotels, restaurants, attractions and shopping venues.”
According to the Butler County Visitors Bureau, the economic impact of the two-day event is estimated at $700,000. Jason Williams, the visitors bureau’s senior sports sales manager, said there were a number of cities across the U.S. vying to host this event.
“To have a sporting event of this magnitude and prestige come to West Chester is very exciting” said Judi Boyko, West Chester Township Administrator. “We look forward to hosting these athletes and their families during this two day event.”
The Youth Elite (ages 13-15) and Junior Elite (ages 16-19) National Championships will take place on the second day of the event. Other races will involve the nation’s top up-and-coming triathletes ages 7-19.
“USA Triathlon is excited to bring the Junior and Youth National Championship to West Chester,” said Jeff Dyrek, national events director of USA Triathlon. “This event offers a race for athletes ranging from first-time youth triathletes to the nation’s future Olympic hopefuls. We’ve experienced record participation numbers in recent years and hope to achieve the same in Ohio.”
Visit usatriathlon.org for full event details. Registration opens Jan. 12.
Homearama brings crowds, jobs and money to West Chester
WestChesterBuzz.com will count down the area’s top 11 stories of 2011 this month, concluding with West Chester’s most discussed topic of the year Dec. 30.
After skipping 2010, the Home Builders Association of Greater Cincinnati held its 49th Homearama in the West Chester residential development of Foxborough June 11-26.
Executive Director of the HBA Dan Dressman said the event was skipping last year due to “the downturn in the economy.”
The successful return of the annual event brought in more than 20,000 people, as well as money and jobs to West Chester this summer.
It is unclear how much money was generated from the 2011 edition of Homearama, but it is certain that the event contributed to the local economy by creating jobs and attracting people from different communities.
According to Dressman, an average of three jobs are created for every home that is built. The 2011 show featured five homes priced from $672,000 to 1,077,000.
“Homearama brought five home builders to the community, who invested in constructing five new homes and each of those homes required construction trade, decorators and landscapers. Building the homes required jobs and material purchases here in the community,” West Chester Township Administrator Judith Boyko said.
In addition to building costs and job creation, there has been a spillover effect into local businesses from the large crowds that attended the home showcase.
“It is impossible to say where the visitors have come from to attend Homearama, but it is likely that many of them came from other places besides West Chester and while they were here, they probably stopped and had dinner or visited a store or bought gas,” said Barbara Wilson, public information & marketing officer for West Chester. “In someway, they have probably contributed to the economy of West Chester.”
Homearama also featured 44 exhibits in its HOMEZONE and several outside exhibits on a variety of home-related products and services.
Foxborough, which is the residential community the event is being held, is located off Hamilton-Mason Road and State Route 747 in West Chester Township. It is near the Liberty Township border.
The West Chester Township Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Brenda Jackson to the position of human resources director during their public meeting Tuesday. Jackson, who is a life-long resident of West Chester, is the first human resources director for the township.
“As an organization, West Chester’s operations are complex and employment issues arise that are indicative of any organization with several collective bargaining units and 333 full and part-time employees,” Township Administrator Judi Boyko said in a release.
“It will serve the community’s interests more cost effectively to include in our operations an expert in the areas of personnel, compliance with federal regulations, etc.”
According to a release provided by the township, Jackson served as global director of corporate human resources for an international manufacturing company and as a human resources consultant in the retail, consumer products, manufacturing, distribution and services industry.
Jackson also attended Hopewell and Union elementary schools before graduating from Lakota High School and Wilmington College.
The human resources director will work directly under the supervision of Boyko and will supervise the administration of payroll and employee benefits processes and programs.
Jackson will be paid the annual salary of $69,800 with a one-year probationary period and contingent upon successful completion of applicable testing and procedures and pursuant to the terms of employment.
It is unclear how much money the 2011 edition of Homearama has bought to West Chester Township. However, it is certain that the annual event has contributed to the local economy by creating jobs and attracting people from different communities.
According to Dan Dressman, executive director of Home Builders Association of Greater Cincinnati, an average of three jobs are created for every home that is built.
“Homearama brought five home builders to the community, who invested in constructing five new homes and each of those homes required construction trade, decorators and landscapers. Building the homes required jobs and material purchases here in the community,” West Chester Township Administrator Judith Boyko said.
In addition to building costs and job creation, there has been a spillover effect into local businesses from the approximately 20,000 people who have attended the event between June 11 through June 23.
“It is impossible to say where the visitors have come from to attend Homearama, but it is likely that many of them came from other places besides West Chester and while they were here, they probably stopped and had dinner or visited a store or bought gas,” said Barbara Wilson, public information & marketing officer for West Chester. “In someway, they have probably contributed to the economy of West Chester.”
Homearama also features 44 exhibits in its HOMEZONE and several outside exhibits on a variety of home-related products and services.
The event ends after this weekend and will be open Friday, June 24, through Sunday, June 26, from noon to 10 p.m.
Tickets for this year’s Homearama cost $13 at the gate or $11 at Greater Cincinnati area Kroger stores. Children 12 and under will be admitted free of charge if accompanied by an adult.
Foxborough, which is the residential community the event is being held, is located off Hamilton-Mason Road and State Route 747 in West Chester Township. It is near the Liberty Township border.
West Chester Township and the Butler County Engineer’s Office are partnering up to complete a ditch-clearing project. The township had budgeted to complete the work itself, but will save approximately $140,000 by partnering up with the county’s engineer’s office, according to a release from the township.
The work, which began in early April, involves the restoration of drainage ditches in the public right-of-way and includes reshaping of the drainage ditch. The work is necessary in order to re-establish and correct drainage swales.
The engineer’s office has stepped up to provide the key piece of equipment and an operator to complete the job.
“The Butler County Engineer’s Office has been an excellent partner to West Chester on so many projects,” said Township Administrator Judi Boyko. “By combining our resources and collaborating on projects such as this one, we maximize resources, increase efficiency and ultimately save taxpayer dollars.”
