Costs keep Schaumburg out of Tour of Elk Grove

Financial concerns are keeping Schaumburg from participating in the Tour of Elk Grove bike race this year.

Last year, a one-day road race was added to the now-annual, three-day tournament in Elk Grove Village, and a significant portion of the road race route was along Schaumburg streets and through its neighborhoods.

The decision to keep this year's event, which will run from July 31 to Aug. 2, entirely in Elk Grove was a mutual one made early on in the planning process, officials from both villages said.

The execution of last year's road race was deemed a success by all involved, but it cost Schaumburg $100,000, Village Manager Ken Fritz said.

Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson said that kind of a price tag carries an entirely different connotation this year than it did last year.

"It was something we couldn't justify," Larson said. "We live in tough economic times. We don't have the property tax that (Elk Grove) has."

Much of Schaumburg's revenues come from sales tax and other consumer fees, making it much more vulnerable to swings in the economy.

Elk Grove Village President Craig Johnson said he was pleased Schaumburg was able to participate last year to do something new and different with the introduction of the Tour's road race.

But this year, a 91/2-mile route entirely in Elk Grove Village has been mapped out. Johnson said his hope is that new and different elements will always be a part of the Tour of Elk Grove.

Additionally, keeping the event within the village will save Elk Grove some money as well, Johnson said.

The cost of the labor and equipment specifically for the purpose of diverting last year's race into another community was totaled at $35,000, he said.