Meijer State Games Of Michigan Announces Inaugural Winter Games

Officials with the Meijer State Games of Michigan have released details on the inaugural 2014 Winter Games. The Winter Games will be held February 14-16, 2014 in the greater Grand Rapids area. The new event is expected to host more than 2,000 athletes in its first year.

“This signature event put on by the West Michigan Sports Commission evokes such a strong sense of community and state pride in its participants, as well as the thousands of spectators who attend,” said Doug Meijer, Co-Chairman of Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer Meijer. “We’re excited to sponsor this event as it gives spirited athletes another opportunity to build character and practice sportsmanship in the inaugural 2014 Winter Games.”

The inaugural sports lineup and confirmed venues include:

• Basketball: TBD (various venues across Grand Rapids)

• BMX – Indoor: Thrifty Acres Indoor BMX, 1220 N Lafayette, Greenville, MI 48838

• Bowling: Northfield Lanes, 2222 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505

• Fatbike (Mt. Bike): TBD

• Ice Hockey: (various venues; see below:

• Griff’s Icehouse, 30 Coldbrook St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

• Georgetown Ice Arena, 8500 48th Ave, Hudsonville, MI 49426

• Kentwood Ice Arena, 6230 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508

• Southside Ice Arena, 566 100th Street SW, Byron Center, MI 49315

• Walker Ice & Fitness Center, 4151 Remembrance Rd NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534

• Racquetball: TBD

• Rowing – Indoor: TBD

• Speed Skating: MSA’s 2014 Michigan Short Track State Championships, Eagles Ice Center, 2600 Village Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506

• Skiing and Snowboarding: Cannonsburg Ski and Ride Area, 6800 Cannonsburg Rd NE, Belmont, MI 49306 

• Snowball Softball: Huff Park, 2286 Ball Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505

• Snowshoe / Trail Run: TBD

• Wrestling: Grand Rapids Community College, 143 Bostwick Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

“The Winter Games will provide year round incentive for Michigan residents of all ages and abilities to stay active,” stated Eric Engelbarts, Executive Director of the Meijer State Games of Michigan. “Hitting on the mission of the West Michigan Sports Commission, the inaugural event is expected to draw over 2,000 athletes and contribute at least $500,000 in direct visitor spending to the greater Grand Rapids area.”

The Opening Ceremony will be held at Cannonsburg Ski and Ride Area and contain a parade of athletes, a torch light parade (featuring the ski patrol), fireworks and a “Big Air” exhibition with professional skiers and snowboarders.

"We're extremely excited to be partnering with the West Michigan Sports Commission to launch the first annual Meijer State Games of Michigan - Winter Games here at Cannonsburg,” stated Marc Moline, Marketing Director of Cannonsburg Ski and Ride Area. “We see this as an incredible opportunity to bring our already wildly successful event series to a wider audience, providing one massive weekend of ski and snowboard competition at the Area."

Officials with the Meijer State Games of Michigan also presented awards to the 2013 Athletes of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

The 2013 Athletes of the Year are:

• Youth Athlete: Liam Smith, Archery

• Female Athlete: Joan Berman, Track & Field

• Male Athlete: Joe Skrycki, Track & Field

• Bruce Bustin was recognized as the 2013 Volunteer of the Year.

Bruce Bustin, 2013 Meijer State Games of Michigan Volunteer of the Year explained, “My son and I are hockey nuts and enjoy watching anything hockey related, so we took this opportunity as a great way to give back.” Bustin continued, “I am honored to receive the award for the 2013 Volunteer of the Year.”

Additional information on the 2013 athletes and volunteer of the year is attached…please contact Eric Engelbarts, eengelbarts@westmisports.com for photos of athletes.

Current Winter Games sponsors include: Meijer, Metro Health, MyWay Mobile Storage, Alliance Beverage Distributing, MC Sports, Mercantile Bank, SIBSCO, Heglund-Sova Realty, Inc., The GR Shop, Central District Cyclery, Velo City Cycles and Cannonsburg Ski and Ride Area.

Sponsorships are still available. For the most up to date information on the Meijer State Games of Michigan, please visit www.StateGamesofMichigan.com.

In 2013, the Meijer State Games of Michigan – Summer Games offered 34 sports, bringing over 6500 athletes from 73 Michigan counties to West Michigan. An independent economic impact survey revealed that Meijer State Games of Michigan participants spent an average of $483 per family and injected more than $2.7 million into the local economy.

About the Meijer State Games of Michigan: Modeled after the Olympics, the Meijer State Games of Michigan welcomes athletes regardless of age or ability, and embodies the values of participation, sportsmanship and healthy living among residents of Michigan.

A signature event of the West Michigan Sports Commission, the Meijer State Games of Michigan is truly a grassroots organization that relies on the dedication of thousands of volunteers and the support of corporate partners.

About the West Michigan Sports Commission: The West Michigan Sports Commission, a non-profit 501 (c) (3), works to identify, secure and host a diverse level of youth and amateur sporting events to positively impact the economy and quality of life in the region. Since its inception in 2007, the WMSC has booked nearly 300 sporting events and tournaments that attracted 315,000 athletes and visitors, generating more than $100 million in direct visitor spending. Visit www.westmisports.com for more information.