Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
IOWA WINTER GAMES
IOWA WINTER GAMES. In June 1991 it was announced that Dubuque would host the first Iowa Winter Games. Scheduled for January 24-26,1992, the games were an extension of the five years of successful summer games organized as the Iowa Games Annual Sports Festival. Competition in the first year's winter games were limited to alpine and Nordic skiing, figure skating, indoor soccer, and ice hockey. Events were scheduled for SUNDOWN MOUNTAIN ski area, various gymnasiums in Dubuque, and the Five Flags arena.
The Iowa Winter Games in 2008 were estimated to attract 3,000 participants and result in $1.5 million dollars to the local economy of Dubuque. Held from January 23-25, the events in Dubuque included ice hockey for youth, swimming, basketball for youth, dodge ball, indoor soccer, volleyball, cross country skiing, fitness walk, and table tennis. Snowboarding and downhill skiing were held at Sundown Mountain on January 31st and February 1st.
In 2017 the Winter Games, which began with 500 athletes, had 4,000 participating with Dubuque the host for 12 competitions at 14 different sites. On January 28 the city's events included alpine ski racing, girls' basketball, fitness walking, ice hockey, indoor soccer, martial arts, swimming, TABLE TENNIS and volleyball. The following day's schedule included boys basketball, PICKLEBALL, road racing and Zumba. The Games in 2016 included ages from the youngest competitor, a 4-year-old figure skater, to the oldest, an 84-year old horseshoe thrower. (1)
By 2005, the Winter Games played an important role in table tennis. Because there were few table tennis competitions in Iowa, it was difficult for players to perform at the championship level. To enter championship level table tennis, a person had to compete in sanctioned tournaments. (2)
An estimated 250 athletes arrived in Dubuque on January 13, 2020 for the 34th annual Special Olympics Winter Games. Events over two days were scheduled for Sundown Mountain, MYSTIQUE COMMUNITY ICE CENTER, and Camp Albrecht Acres. (3)
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Source:
1. West, Brenden. "Winter Games Celebrating 25 Years," Telegraph Herald, January 29, 2017, p. 1B
2. Nevans-Pederson, Mary, "Sport Moves Out of Rec Room," Telegraph Herald, February 6, 2005, p. 1
3. Hogstrom, Erik, "Success Measured in Smiles," Telegraph Herald, January 14, 2020, p. 1A
