Aurora Games bring uncertain economic impact to Albany

ALBANY, N.Y. (WRGB) - With around 150 top female athletes from all over the world coming this week to Albany, downtown is prepping for the exposure.

However at this point, they say they don’t know what the economic impact will be on the area.

The point that this is the first Aurora Games is why they say they don’t know what to expect.

Restaurants have been asked to be open before and after the events all week and the free CDTA trolley will be extended and run through Sunday.

Plus some businesses are taking part to make sure the games are a success.

With six nights of six different sports featuring the worlds top female athletes, Downtown Albany is expected to feel the buzz and excitement.

“It just becomes something alive. You can feel it. So I think that is what we are going to see this week that our downtown is going to show case what it is capable of,” said Jill Delaney, President and CEO of Discover Albany.

Discover Albany is the the counties’ Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“We just can’t necessarily, it being a first time event, quote you on what the economic impact will end up being until we start to see it play out,” Delaney said.

She says she hasn't seen a huge impact on hotels and that rooms are still available.

Ticket sales were also slow, but CBS 6 is told they have picked up and about four-thousand tickets have been sold for Tuesday’s tennis.

It’s a short walk from where the games are played at the Times Union Center over to the Aurora Games Fan Zone at the Albany Capital Center.

However, some businesses are hoping people will venture a little further away.

“The entire Warehouse District I think would be a cool destination spot for anyone attending the Aurora games,” said Joshua Whelan, Director of Sales and Marketing of Nine Pin Cider.

Whelan says, “We have about four breweries, a distillery a cidery here in just this little area. I think it’s bringing good attention to our little neighborhood as well.”

Nine Pin is getting involved with Aurora games to help raise awareness and make it a success by hosting a meet and greet with three athletes Wednesday night.

“Michele Timms, Barbara Turner and of course the world famous Nancy Kerrigan will be here,” Whelan said.

“It will be probably in year two or year three of these games that we really start to see people planning their trips around this. Everybody is always afraid the first time out,” said Delaney.

But they say no fears, they are ready and can handle the multi-day event broadcast in ESPN.