IHSAA waiting to decide on 2012 State Duals site

CEDAR RAPIDS - Renovations to the U.S. Cellular Center will force the Iowa High School Athletic Association to move the 2012 State Duals tournament, but that process has not begun.

IHSAA Assistant Executive Director Alan Beste said Saturday that the search for a replacement site for next year's tournament will start after the wrestling and basketball postseasons end. The IHSAA made the decision in the fall when it learned of the renovation project.

"We were going to wait until all our winter sports tournaments were over, because it's such a busy time for us," Beste said. "Then we are going to start to look at what our options may be."

Currently, interested parties include Cedar Rapids, the Waterloo Convention and Visitors Bureau and a group from the Council Bluffs area. The Cedar Rapids Ice Arena, which will host the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union 2012 state volleyball tournament normally held at the U.S. Cellular Center, has been mentioned as a site. Young Arena in Waterloo and the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs are possibilities.

"What we told all of them was ...,"  Beste said, "we're not even considering going to take a look at anybody, have anybody submit proposals or sharing with them, back and forth, what our requirements are or those kinds of things, because we're so concentrated on what we're doing right now for our tournaments."

Beste said the IHSAA has not made any formal visits or tours to any of the arenas, but he is aware of what each offers. Although Eastern Iowa lacks many state tournament events, Beste said location isn't as big of a factor as the facility.

"We'll study it some," said Beste, noting the IHSAA will discuss the topic with the Wrestling Coaches Advisory Committee during its spring meeting. "They don't make the final decision, but we'd like some input from them. We'd like to consult with them on what we think are some of the options."

Area coaches enjoy having the tournament in their region. Especially since Central Iowa teams have the benefit the week before in Des Moines.

"It gives us an edge where we can sleep in our own bed and don't have to travel," said Iowa City West Coach Mark Reiland, whose team is making its ninth straight State Duals appearance. "Schools in Central Iowa have that same thing for them at the state tournament. They have that advantage."

The State Duals in Cedar Rapids provides the perfect stage to display the strength of Eastern Iowa programs in their own backyard.

"They get a lot of fans here (and) a lot of excitement," Linn-Mar Coach Doug Streicher said. "You can show this side of the state has got some good wrestling going on. I think everyone knows it anyway because you look who's placing at the traditional tournament and who is in the top three, four or five.

"Certainly our side of the state has the talent."

The event brings visitors, albeit for a short stay, and money to the economy. It has also been a long-time host of the event. Beste was unsure about the length of the current IHSAA contract to hold the event in Cedar Rapids, but has had conversations with Cedar Rapids Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Director of Sports Tourism and Jayson Anderson, the event manager of the U.S. Cellular Center, about the arena after project completion.

"We certainly visited with them about if the (U.S.) Cellular Center, when it's renovated, will work for our event," Beste said. "From what they told us it would."