Lake Placid, NY - The IRONMAN Community Task Force has released a survey to local businesses and residents to better understand the impact of the IRONMAN race on our communities. Those who take the survey will be asked about specific positive impacts, as well as challenges, associated with hosting the IRONMAN Lake Placid triathlon. Respondents have the opportunity to be as detailed as possible. The questions are posed as multiple choice with the option to add more elaborate comments. “Regardless of your position on the topic of IRONMAN, this is your opportunity to have your voice heard,” said Ann O'Leary, local business owner and IRONMAN Community Task Force member. “This survey is a beginning step to be able to adjust, rectify, or eliminate any grievances regarding this event. Your input is invaluable to the outcome.” The IRONMAN Community Task Force was formed to evaluate economic and community impacts of the IRONMAN triathlon. Through surveys, interviews, and data, the IRONMAN Community Task Force will better understand the impact of the IRONMAN Lake Placid triathlon on local communities. “We are going into the 22nd year of hosting IRONMAN, and we felt this long relationship deserved our due diligence with input from community members and businesses in the decision on how to proceed in the future,” stated Mary Jane Lawrence, COO at the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism. After studying the data, the task force will make recommendations on how best to proceed with IRONMAN in the future. In 2021, when considering whether or not to renew the IRONMAN contract, it was decided to extend a one-year contract with IRONMAN Group and form the task force to gather further community insight. The IRONMAN Community Task Force aims to offer a recommendation no later than the end of 2021. The 2022 ViewSPORT IRONMAN® Lake Placid triathlon will take place on Sunday, July 25. To complete the survey, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/IRONMANLP About the IRONMAN Task Force Members were selected based on recommendations by business owners, residents and the involved municipalities, and on the members’ longstanding engagement in the IRONMAN discussions with the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism. Members reside and/or work in the communities of Lake Placid, Keene, Jay, and Wilmington. Local governments are also represented, as well as the IRONMAN Lake Placid race director. More information on the IRONMAN Task Force can be found at www.RoostADK.com/Ironman-Task-Force. ###

Lake Placid, NY --- Community members are invited to participate in a community call to provide feedback on proposed strategies being developed for the region’s Destination Management Plan. Two, one-hour sessions will be held, one on November 1 at 8 a.m. and one on November 3 at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to join one of the calls. The Destination Management Plan will provide a 10-year road map that aligns the priorities of government, economic development, community organizations, and residents to balance the tourism industry with community needs. Greg Oates, Senior Vice President of Innovation with MMGY NextFactor, a consulting firm specializing in travel and tourism, will be conducting the community calls. “We’ve been engaging community leaders, business owners, residents, and a variety of other organizations for the last nine months to understand how the tourism industry can contribute to the quality of life for residents, and how to best diversify the economy,” said Oates. “The upcoming community calls provide a chance for all residents to provide input on the development of the Destination Management Plan.” For any residents who might not be able to attend the virtual session, Oates said he welcomes any input directly. He can be reached at GOates@NextFactorInc.com. To take part in one of the two sessions, please click on the following link to participate: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83089665533 Or call in: 929-205-6099 Meeting ID: 830 8966 5533 ###

Lake Placid, NY --- The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) will host a community call on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the progress being made towards the Lake Placid 2023 Winter World University Games. This 11-day competition and festival will be hosted in Lake Placid and the greater Adirondack region January 12 - 22, 2023. The virtual meeting will be held on Zoom. Attendees can view and listen in through their computer, tablet, or phone. Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82379467564Call in: 929-205-6099Meeting ID: 823 7946 7564 In addition to World University Games updates, other topics that will be discussed include the State’s continued commitment to the region, Lake Placid’s Main Street reconstruction, housing, and an update regarding the Olympic Regional Development Authority’s (ORDA) ongoing renovation of its venues. As the largest winter multi-sport collegiate event in the world, the Lake Placid 2023 World University Games are expected to bring more than 2,500 student-athletes and coaches from 50 nations and 600 universities to Lake Placid and the North Country region to compete in 12 sports and 86 events. Student-athletes will contend for medals in alpine and Nordic skiing, ski jumping, Nordic combined, biathlon, curling, figure skating, freestyle skiing, ice hockey, short track and speed skating (long track), and snowboarding. Presenters will include James McKenna, President/CEO of ROOST; Ashley Walden, Executive Director of Adirondack Sports Council; and Mike Pratt, President/CEO of ORDA. A question-and-answer opportunity will follow a presentation. Businesses and residents are encouraged to participate and are invited to email their questions and comments ahead of time to Kristin@LakePlacid.com. ###

Lake Placid, NY – The Town of North Elba is pleased to announce the North Elba Local Enhancement and Advancement Fund (LEAF) is awarding funds to several local organizations. North Elba LEAF is a dedicated and ongoing fund available to nonprofits, local governments, and public sector organizations within the Town of North Elba. Monies for the fund are derived from a dedicated 2% Essex County occupancy tax that was implemented by the Essex County Board of Supervisors in June of 2020. The mission of North Elba LEAF is to provide funds for programs, activities, and facilities that will have direct benefit to the community and improve the quality of North Elba for both residents and visitors. “The funds available from LEAF will improve the quality of place for both residents and visitors,” North Elba Town Supervisor Jay Rand said. “The LEAF Committee went through a very detailed process of reviewing projects and programs, and we feel those approved best reflect the mission of LEAF.” The projects recommended by the LEAF committee and approved by the Town of North Elba were submitted by the following 19 nonprofits, local governments, and public sector organizations: Lake Placid Community Beautification Association, Inc.; North Elba Park District; Adirondack Medical Center; Homestead Development Corp.; North Elba Youth Commission; Shipman Youth Center; Digital Abraham Inc.; John Brown Lives!; Lake Placid Middle/High School; Lake Placid Volunteer Ambulance Service; American Legion Post 326; Adirondack Mountain Club; Cornell University Uihlein Maple Research Forest; Town of North Elba; Village of Lake Placid; Lake Placid Municipal Electric; Friends of Moody Pond; Lake Placid Land Conservancy; and Lake Placid Sinfonietta. Total funds awarded was $740,553.53 for the following projects: Organization NameAmountProject Lake Placid Community Beautification Association, Inc.$50,000.00Holiday Decorations part 1 and Water Conserving Pots part 6North Elba Park District$39,352.59Purchase of a Kubota RTV multi purpose vehicle with attachmentsAdirondack Medical Center$39,135.00Continuing our legacy of serving world-class athletes and our communityHomestead Development Corp.$125,000.00Fawn ValleyNorth Elba Youth Commission$7,000.00North Elba Youth CommissionShipman Youth Center$39,807.00Attract more students to Shipman Youth CenterDigital Abraham Inc.$2,700.00Roof Project CompletionJohn Brown Lives!$12,000.00All Welcome Here! Engaging Children & Families at the John Brown FarmLake Placid Middle/High School$50,000.00Cafeteria ImprovementLake Placid Volunteer Ambulance Service$147,000.00Vehicle Replacement ProgramAmerican Legion Post 326$5,000.00Hometown HeroesAdirondack Mountain Club$50,000.00Improving Accessibility on the Mt. Jo Long TrailCornell University Uihlein Maple Research Forest$5,897.00Developing a Self-Guided Tour and Nature Trail for the Education of Maple Syrup ProductionTown of North Elba$9,500.00Virtual Meeting Streaming Equipment Village of Lake Placid$150,000.00Mirror Lake Beach DockLake Placid Municipal Electric$2,730.00Banner Bracket System UpdateFriends of Moody Pond$7,500.00Removal of Eurasian Watermilfoil from Moody PondLake Placid Land Conservancy$2,681.94Tools of EngagementLake Placid Sinfonietta$2,750.00Music Library Catalog Project “The LEAF Committee was fortunate to support multiple projects in this grant round that will add significantly to the experiences of residents and visitors in North Elba,” said Matt Donahue, LEAF committee member. “People of all ages will benefit from the work that grantees will do to furnish cultural, educational, and recreational offerings for the community. These LEAF grants are also great investments in infrastructure needs that will help people enjoy this special place.” North Elba LEAF prioritizes projects that meet the mission of the fund and are catalysts for new programming or offerings for the community. LEAF grants are not intended to fund current iterations of programs for eligible organizations. For those considering applications in the future, details on how to apply and the scoring criteria is available at www.RoostADK.com/Leaf. The next round of applications will be accepted no later than February 1, 2022 and approved by the town board no later than May 10, 2022. ###

Tupper Lake, NY – New this year, registration for the Northern Challenge Ice Fishing Derby will be offered online. The Northern Challenge Committee of the Tupper Lake Sportsmens Club and the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) worked together to transition registration to online, making it easier for travelers to register and to find information about the derby. “Every year, this is a fantastic event,” said Dave McMahon, chair of the Northern Challenge Committee. “So many things have gone ‘online’ now and people depend on easy access to information. We hope that by moving things online we will have the ability to reach more people and provide information about the event in a much more accessible manner.” On the first Saturday in February, anglers from far and wide travel to Tupper Lake for the annual Northern Challenge Ice Fishing Derby. This northern pike contest populates Simon Pond with over a thousand fishermen and women who compete for over $40,000 in cash and prizes. Registration can be found here. The 2022 Northern Challenge will be held on Saturday, February 5. The tournament begins promptly at 7 a.m. and continues until 3 p.m. Prizes are raffled off throughout the day. Door prizes are posted at noon, and an award ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. For more information about the Northern Challenge, please contact Katie LaLonde at Katie@roostadk.com or stop in at the ROOST office at 121 Park Street, Tupper Lake. ###