Minneapolis To Host Jr. Girls Volleyball Tournament In 2014
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minneapolis announced that the city will be hosting the USA Volleyball Girls' Junior National Championships in 2014.
The tournament will feature the top girls volleyball talent in the nation ages 12 to 18. It's expected to be an eight-day event that will start June 25 and wrap up on July 2, 2014. Along with showcasing the talent from across the country, the event will also bring out college recruiters.
The estimated economic impact the city can expect from hosting the event is more than $60 million.
The tournament is expected to bring more than 30,000 athletes and spectators to the city, marking one of the most significant influxes the Twin Cities has seen since the Republican National Convention in 2008.
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and the president of Meet Minneapolis were on hand Wednesday morning to make the announcement.
Minneapolis business owners, like Ann Kim, who owns Pizzeria Lola, are eager to see an uptick in business during the tournament.
"To have people come from outside the state and see what we do and how well we do it, in terms of food, in terms of hospitality, in terms of the arts...I think it's fantastic," Kim said.
Hotels will likely feel the biggest economic impact.
About 8,000 hotel rooms are in Bloomington alone. They'll host players and some of the 20,000 spectators from across the country.
The event should also be good news for the Mall of America, which caters to young girls and their families.
"An event like this is so great, because they eat in our restaurants, they shop at the mall," said Dan O'Neill with the Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau. "It provides an economic impact that we work so hard to bring to the area."
Bloomington stands to gain $15 million from the tournament.
Twin Cities leaders call hosting the tournament a major score. They're now set to host these national championships for the second time.
"I welcome it!" Kim said. "I think it's fantastic! Bring it on!"
