The country's largest national synchronized swimming competition will return to the Town of Tonawanda in June.

More than 1,200 athletes ages 11 to 19 are expected to compete in the United States

Synchronized Swimming's eSynchro Age Group Championships from June 25 to July 3 in the

Town of Tonawanda Aquatic and Fitness Center.

The Town of Tonawanda Aquettes, an amateur synchronized swimming team, last hosted the

national championships in 1997, said Karen Alvarez, head coach.

"It's been awhile, so we're excited to have it back," Alvarez said.

Michael Even, vice president of sales for the Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau,

estimated the event will bring

$1.5 million to $2 million to the region.

"That really is very significant when you start talking about economic impact," Even said.

"Twelve hundred swimmers with their family members, their friends, eating in restaurants,

going to our cultural attractions, doing all there is to see and do in Erie County makes

perfect sense."

Officials from the Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau hope to attract more

athletes like the synchronized swimmers to the region.

In February, the visitors bureau established a nonprofit subsidiary, Buffalo Niagara Sports

Commission, to focus on drawing more amateur sports competitions to the county.

Even said those events could include everything from paintball to skateboarding.

"The sports commission is actively pursuing a number of events," Even said. "The goal is to

be able to attract somewhere around 70 events each year."

The Town of Tonawanda has a long history of synchronized swimming.

The Aquettes, with 37 members on their competitive team, formed in 1961. Last year, the

senior team placed fourth in the nation.

Tonawanda Supervisor Anthony F. Caruana said the town aquatic and fitness center recently

underwent a series of upgrades, including new lighting, pool resurfacing and updated locker

rooms.

The Aquettes, he noted, have produced several U.S. national team members.

"The teams have traveled, as you heard, all around the globe and around the country,"

Caruana said. "They have been great ambassadors for our Town of Tonawanda. We thank them for

that. It is very fitting, now, that the country comes to them."