Patrick Smeraldo, center, is joined at the Gus Macker National Convention in Grand Rapids, Mich. in 2023 by, from the left, Mike Fuller, vice president sales & bracketology, Gus Macker; Scott “Gus” McNeal, owner, Gus Macker; and Patty Donovan, vice president marketing and communications, Gus Macker. Submitted file photo

Following the approval of an amendment to the contract between Collaborative Children’s Solutions and the city for the annual summer Gus Macker 3-on-3 tournament, CCS President Patrick Smeraldo has announced his reasoning behind not holding the tournament next year.

The contract amendment reduces the number of events hosted by Collaborative Children’s Solutions in conjunction with the city to five, down from the original number of six. Mayor Kim Ecklund has said that holding the tournament is not economically feasible for the city anymore, due to a declining number of participants, along with the event competing with so many others during the summer months, and Smeraldo’s reasoning is similar.

“This is an announcement that I have anguished over making for the past six weeks,” Smeraldo said. “I have explored numerous options and just can’t make the numbers work. Unfortunately, with the costs of paying and housing referees that need to travel to Jamestown, payments to volunteers for necessary tournament requirements and finding a weekend solely dedicated to the tournament meeting all the needs necessary to be successful it’s just not possible currently to continue at this time.”

Smeraldo added that he fully understands that financial risks come with holding numerous events, but that it is also his task to remain fiscally responsible for both the city and his own organization. Additionally, he said he is proud that they were able to grow the tournament by a few teams each year, saying that 65% of the players and families traveled more than 50 miles to come participate last year. This did help the local economy, but with the rising costs and the fact that CCS is small, Smeraldo said they are unable to take a gamble on the tournament each year, “jeopardizing our overall scope of work.”

“I’m trying to always be a glass is half full guy and am excited that Jamestown and Chautauqua County are continuously looked at for all the great things our area has to offer and fully support each and every event along with the companies or organizations who put in the hundreds of hours to do great things in our community,” Smeraldo said.

Smeraldo thanked everyone from Macker LLC including Scott McNeal, Patty Donavan, and Mike Fuller, who Smeraldo said were “an incredible help to the CCS Team along the way”, along with those in the city of Jamestown who assisted as well as JCC President Daniel DeMarte, Angel Spitzer, Kip Reynolds and the team at Jamestown Community College. Smeraldo also thanked local businesses and organizations including Wegman’s, JRSC Digital, the Army National Guard, Ed Shults, Casella Waste and many more, including Smeraldo’s mentor John Felton from Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union.

“I thank you for your sponsorship funds and support because without all of you it simply doesn’t happen,” Smeraldo said. “The Jamestown NY Gus Macker has made a positive impact on our community over the last few years and Collaborative Children’s will continue its efforts to build a great community and work with our youth as we all move forward.”