KEYSTONE STATE GAMES
GAMES MEAN ECONOMIC BOOST FOR YORK COUNTY
The Pennsylvania Keystone State Games are coming to York County. York’s selection was announced Thursday, July 15 by York County Convention & Visitors Bureau at the York Expo Center.
Keystone Games and public officials emerged from a bus wrapped in images promoting the event to reveal the selection. Owen Costello, President/CEO of the Pennsylvania’s Keystone State Games, Inc., was joined by York Mayor John Brenner, York County Commissioner Steve Chronister and Sen. Michael Waugh, as he announced York County as the host for the upcoming games.
“The decision for hosting the Games was extremely difficult. Johnstown, State College and Dauphin County also had excellent bids and have demonstrated in the past they can successfully host the Games,” Costello said. “York County offers us a new site and new opportunities that will only strengthen our games in the future.”
During the press conference, Senator Waugh, Commissioner Chronister and Mayor Brenner extended congratulations to YCCVB and pledges of support to the Keystone Games from their respective delegations. The games are expected to generate $21 million for York County.
“In addition to the impressive economic impact, the games will offer York County an opportunity to showcase the area’s academic institutions and the community,” said Anne Druck, president of the York County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The games will bring student athletes and their families to York County, many of whom may never have visited the area for another reason. The event exposes them to York so that they might consider the area as a place to further their academic career, to work and to live or simply enjoy visiting again.”
The Keystone Games are Pennsylvania’s largest athletic festival. Modeled after the Olympic games, the event consists of multi-sport competitions providing Pennsylvania’s amateur athletes an opportunity to compete against athletes from throughout the Commonwealth in the Summer Games, Winter Sports Festival and the Pennsylvania Senior Games.
Between 15,000 and 20,000 people are expected to attend the games, which will be held at a number of venues in the York area, including local high schools, colleges and the York Expo Center.