Springfield (KMTR) - The City of Springfield plans to spend $100,000 to sponsor the upcoming Track Town 2012 Olympic Trials at Eugene’s Hayward Field next summer. The city was also a sponsor of the 2008 Olympic Trials.
The money comes from hotel room taxes, which, by city charter mandate, must be used specifically for tourism enhancement activities. The State of Oregon also expects the room tax to be spent on city promotion.
Thousands of people coming to the area for the Olympic trials will stay in Springfield hotels, making it a good investment for the area, according to Assistant City Manager Jeff Towery.
“We definitely see an economic benefit from the people who are coming to town, staying in town, staying in the hotels, motels, eating in the restaurants, participating in the local activities, going to the local businesses,” Towery said, “So, it's a great opportunity to show the community off and to show our business community off as well.”
Although Eugene will host the trials and will get a lot of the credit, Springfield has roots in the area's track history as well. The soles of the original Nike shoes were made in Springfield’s former Booth-Kelly Center; Steve Prefontaine called Glenwood home for some time; and parts of Pre's Trail go right through Springfield.
