Hydros might have sunk

COEUR d'ALENE - Doug Miller, who spearheaded the Coeur d'Alene Diamond Cup Hydroplane races over Labor Day weekend, issued a press release Thursday saying the event lost money. But Miller would not answer repeated requests for details this week, leaving the public to try to fill in important blanks.

In the release, Miller stated that organizers were grateful for the support they received from the community, although it wasn't enough.

"We do truly appreciate all of those who financially supported and contributed to the event as sponsors," he wrote. "But there were many that benefited from the races that didn't feel it was important for them to make a financial contribution."

He said that would have to change if the community wants the hydros to come back next year.

"We will need to rely heavily on the businesses that benefit from these races such as hotels, motels, restaurants and retail to do their part and giving back by becoming financial supporters," he wrote.

Miller also had a message for those who attended the event.

"We also appreciate the attendees who supported the event by buying tickets, but there were many who found a way to attend the races without paying, either viewing from land or boat," he wrote. "This will also need to come to a halt next year or the races cannot continue."

Organizers were counting on corporate sponsors and ticket sales to help offset the cost of the event, which he said could run as high as $750,000 a year to pull off.

Miller said the event drew an "estimated" 55,000 people who generated an "estimated" $8 million to $10 million of spending in the region, but he has refused to disclose the number of actual ticket sales for the event, or discuss how he arrived at the economic benefit to the community.

Earlier this month Miller told The Press that he would release the final numbers on the event after Tickets West closed out their accounting in mid-September.

He has also told The Press in previous interviews that organizers needed to sell roughly 15,000 tickets to break even.

"We only need 12,000 to 15,000 people to show up and we're good. Businesses in the Spokane-Coeur d'Alene area have stepped up in providing in-kind services for us and that has been our savior," Miller told The Press in an interview published on Aug. 18. "Also, sponsors are continuing to come in, which is also providing great relief for us."

Apparently that didn't occur, because Miller's press release said the event did suffer a shortfall.

"Unfortunately this year, the hole in the bucket has caused a shortfall that we now have to deal with," he wrote, adding that more community support would be needed if the event is going to continue.

Immediately after the races, Miller said he was certain the event would be an annual event, but the release leaves the impression that the event may not happen again.

"It is a great value proposition for the community when you can bring in $8-$10 million of new money annually," Miller wrote. "But we have to figure out ways as a community to cover the expenses of making that happen, which we can hopefully do next year and in years to come."