The first weekend of the World University Games are in the books. Competitions are in full swing and athletes are winning medals. Student-athletes are getting the first taste of the new upgrades to Lake Placid’s facilities. Everything from Mt. Van Hoevenberg to the Olympic Center looks almost brand new, thanks to investments by New York State. The work also focused on ways to not only renovate, but to do so in a way that honors the past and ensures a bright future through sustainability efforts. It’s also what will keep Lake Placid and it’s venues top of the line and a spot athletes from around the world will want to not only compete, but even train. Those at the games this week will not only get to enjoy watching competitions at these new venues, but a brand new look for downtown as well. |
What You Need To Know
- New York State has invested more than $500 million into Lake Placid’s Olympic venues and sites
- The most recent set of renovations included upgrades to Mt. Van Hoevenberg, the ski jumps, the speedskating oval, Whiteface Mountain, Herb Brooks Arena, the Olympic Center and more; just in time for the World University Games
- Downtown Lake Placid has also been upgraded as well, with new sidewalks, parking, accessibility and runoff prevention to keep materials out of Mirror Lake
“We are a small village in the heart of the Adirondacks which has hosted the 1932 and the 1980 Olympics,” ROOST COO Mary Jane Lawrence said.
As the chief operating officer of ROOST, the agency that drives tourism in the heart of Lake Placid, Mary Jane Lawrence knows just how important it is to the future of Lake Placid to keep winter sports thriving.
“So, having that international recognition helps us with our brand right, and as a travel destinations unique to many other places,” Lawrence added.
When it comes to showing off that history and what the future can hold, there are maybe none better than Julia Herman, the Lake Placid Olympic Museum Collections Manager.
“Even after the Olympics, just showing the world that our facilities are still in use has been a factor in getting those big international competitions like the World University Games here. We’re just really showing that our Olympic legacy is not just in the past, but is still continuing into the present, which is huge for this town,” she said.
This brand new museum is a big part of that future, and in fact, over the past six years, New York State has invested $500 million into Lake Placid’s facilities - just in time for these games.
“We now have state-of-the-art venues, the nicest in the world - thank you to the state of New York.” Lawrence said.
Of course, the village itself played a role in the rest of the story. The venues need the community. Thanks to its own project, Lake Placid has a brand new downtown. There’s new roads, new sidewalks, curbing, parking, accessibility and more.
“It’s about enhancing our communities. Making our Main Street more walkable, more accessible for our stores and our restaurants, and parking and a more enjoyable experience,” Lawrence said.
A project that like these games has a focus on sustainability, the environment. Mirror Lake sits right smack dab in the middle of Lake Placid. Keeping road salt and other runoff out of it, was a big part of the plan.
“So it’s really, really important for the health of our community that this lake stays fresh and healthy,” she added.
A healthy environment, healthy venues, a healthy future.
Even after these games end, Lake Placid will host a number of world championships later this year, showing just how important these upgraded venues are to its future.