The state Parks Department announced Wednesday it will reinstate the summer Empire State Games next year through a combination of private fundraising, new fees and state aid.
The summer games, which date back to 1978 and include 30,000 youth and adult amateur athletes, were cancelled this year after the state cut $2.7 million for it. They were scheduled to be held last July in the Hudson Valley.
The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation said the games will be reinstated in July 2010, to be held in Buffalo.
The agency laid out a two-year, $1 million private fundraising goal to fund the games in the winter and summer, as well as the senior games and games for the physically challenged.
