Monday, August 13, 2018

Assemblywoman Jenne: Waddington ready to host Bassmaster's Elite Series for fourth time

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne stopped in Waddington on Thursday to get an update on the upcoming Bassmaster's Elite Series tournament being hosted by the community later this month.

The assemblywoman said one of her concerns had been the impact lower water levels would have on the tournament.

She said Waddington Mayor Janet Otto-Cassada and local tournament committee member Bill Dashnaw assured her the much lower than normal water levels on Lake St. Lawrence and neighboring sections of the St. Lawrence River are not a major concern for the tournament that runs from Aug. 23-26.

Mayor Otto-Cassada said the professional anglers have dealt with low water levels in the past on the St. Lawrence River and also successfully navigated a bridge construction project that impacted the launch area.

"The water is low," Mayor Otto-Cassada told Assemblywoman Jenne as she stood on a dock at Whittaker Park, "but the BASS guys are pros. This is not the first time this has happened to us. We'll be fine."

Assemblywoman Jenne said Waddington officials have demonstrated the economic development and tourism potential that exists for shoreline communities in St, Lawrence and Jefferson counties from the lake to the locks.

"It was great to hear the water levels shouldn't be an impediment to this year's event here in Waddington. It's phenomenal to see how big this event has become, and it will only continue to grow with the long-term commitment from Bassmaster's to keep coming back on an annual basis," she noted.

Bassmaster's has already announced they will be returning to Waddington Aug. 15-18, 2019, marking the fifth time in seven years the Elite Series will have a St. Lawrence River stop on their tournament schedule.

"Waddington is a prime example of what we can do with the natural assets we have in our backyards and proof this is one of the top fisheries in the world," the assemblywoman added.

Assemblywoman Jenne said she was also pleased to hear the strong support the event was receiving from Gov. Andrew Cuomo and I Love NY tourism officials.

"The Governor and I Love NY have stepped up to the plate and been very helpful," Mayor Otto-Cassada told the assemblywoman.

State Senator Patty Ritchie also secured funding to assist local officials stage the event.

"I think the strong bi-partisan support for this effort is a reflection of the high quality of work a small group of local volunteers has done to make Waddington one of the most popular spots in the country on the Bassmater's Elite Series tournament schedule," she noted.

Waddington set the Bassmaster's Elite Series attendance record of more than 34,000 in 2013 at the Evan Williams Bourbon Showdown. The tournament drew 31,600 in 2015 and 32,800 in 2017.

Mayor Otto-Cassada said hotels, motels and campgrounds around the region are once again benefitting from the tournament.

"The hotels and motels are full, the Lisbon Beach campground is full. We now have a five-year bond with Bassmaster's. A number of the anglers stay with families when they are in town for the tournament. Some rent houses here for the week. They love the small-town feel of our event," she noted.

The Party in the Park, which features food, music, kids' rides, helicopter rides and the Elite Expo featuring many of the Bassmaster's sponsors is another drawing card to the four-day event in Waddington.

This year's event will also feature a NEACA gun show and militaria expo from Aug. 23-26 at the Donald Martin Civic Center.

IN THE PHOTOS:

TOP PHOTO:

Waddington Mayor Janet Otto-Cassada shows Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne the launch area for anglers participating in the 2018 Bassmaster's Elite Series tournament Aug. 23-26 in Waddington.

BOTTOM PHOTO:

Waddington Mayor Janet Otto-Cassada and Bill Dashnaw, members of the local organizing committee for the he 2018 Bassmaster's Elite Series tournament Aug. 23-26 in Waddington, discuss plans for the event with Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (l).