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Park Board reconsiders Gay Games rowing even vote Tuesday, March 7

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Chicago, IL — Organizers of this summer's Gay Games in Chicago may not need to find a new location for the rowing events after all.  The Crystal Lake Park District Board announced Friday that it will reconsider its rejection of a request by organizers. 

The board was split two-to-two in Thursday night's vote to allow the rowing event.  The measure needed three votes for approval and the deciding board member is on vacation. 

Jerry Sullivan, the vacationing board member, contacted park officials on Friday requesting a vote. 

The board has recheduled a vote for Tuesday, March 7, 7:30 p.m. at Park Place, 406 W. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake, Illinois. 

"We are disappointed in the vote by the Crystal Lake Park District. We are also disappointed that McHenry county residents had to experience so many highly-negative and often offensive comments from their fellow neighbors at the meeting. However, we are gratified by the huge outpouring of support from fair-minded people in McHenry County and throughout the Chicagoland Area and beyond, including offers of some high-quality venues as possible sites for the 2006 Gay Games rowing regatta. We continue to have dialogue with the Crystal Lake Park District and are pleased that they have decided to hold a special meeting on March 7 to revisit the issue and their decision," said Kevin Boyer, Board Co-Vice Chair, Gay Games VII.

Park District Director Kirk Reimer told the Chicago Tribune that he received countless emails criticizing the board's decision to reject the Games, some threatening to boycott Crystal Lake. 

"I don't think you can hardly say the vote of two Park District commissioners is sufficient to bring a blight on the community," Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley told the Tribune. 

The rowing event, scheduled for July 16, is one of the smaller events of 30 Gay Games sports, which are expected to draw 12,000 people to the Chicago area July 15-22.

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