Ritchie Announces $50,000 to Help Build New Bandstand in Waddington

State Senator Patty Ritchie has announced she has secured $50,000 in funding to help the Village of Waddington construct a new bandstand.  To be built in Whittaker Park, the new bandstand will be used for community events, including large scale national fishing tournaments, which the village has hosted in recent years, as well as concerts and other large events.

“Tourism—especially in the summer months—is a major economic driver in the North Country,” said Senator Ritchie.

“In Waddington, the opportunities for fishing and other sports not only attract tourists, they also boost our local economy and help to create jobs.  I’m pleased to be able to deliver funding for a new bandstand, which will not only help Waddington host large-scale fishing tournaments, but also other events that are important to the local community.”

“Here in Waddington we’ve been pleased to host tournaments that attract not only the world’s top anglers, but also fishing enthusiasts from across the country,” said Waddington Mayor Janet Oddo Cassada.

“When we’re bringing in world-class fisherman, we also need to have world-class facilities.  The funding secured by Senator Ritchie will help improve these tournaments, as well as the many other events—including concerts—that take place in our community.”

In recent years, Senator Ritchie has been a strong supporter of improving and increasing tourism opportunities in the region she represents.  Last year, she delivered $150,000 to help promote fishing tournaments throughout Central and Northern New York, which included $30,000 to help the Village of Waddington promote the BASS Eastern Divisional Championship and BASSmasters Elite Tournament.

Final release of funds is subject to state approval

(Senator Ritchie is pictured in the above photo with Mayor Janet Oddo-Cassada and Village Trustee William Dashnaw at Whittaker Park in Waddington)