Thousands of athletes and other visitors are preparing their decent into the Des Moines area for the start of the AAU Junior Olympic Summer Games, which tourism officials say will bring a huge boost to the local economy.

“We are estimating at this point that it will have an economic impact of $25 million on the metro area,” said Greg Edwards, president and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, which spent four years planning the event to be held July 27 through Aug. 7.

The CVB’s estimate is based on figures from the 1995 games in Des Moines, which raked in up to $18 million, and revenue estimates from recent host cities. Detroit tourism officials estimated that the 2003 Junior Olympics had an economic impact of $30 million to $35 million.

“The latest numbers show, with athletes, coaches, families and friends, there will be 25,000 to 30,000 people,” Edwards said.

Room blocks at area hotels and motels are filling up and some families have made lodging arrangements in nearby cities such as Ames, Newton and Boone.

The CVB is serving as a housing reservation bureau for those traveling to Des Moines for the games. The staff receives daily updates from area hotels regarding room availability.

“If you called us tomorrow and said, ‘I need six rooms for the night of July 29,’ we could tell you what hotels have six rooms available that night,” Edwards said.

Pre-event planning with members of the service industry has been aimed at preparing employees for an influx of restaurant patrons and hotel guests. A Thursday meeting with local hotel managers focused primarily on the Junior Olympics, from information included in registration packets to the division of games.

“Any situation that may occur, they will know who to call,” Edwards said. “There are all sorts of ways to be proactive.”

Along with an event of this magnitude comes the need for hundreds of volunteers. Wade Den Hartog, director of marketing for the Junior Olympics, said organizers are still in need of volunteers, but it’s not too late to sign up.

“They’ll get to meet and interact with athletes, coaches and parents from all across the country,” he said. “There are athletes from all 50 states. There is a tennis team from Hawaii. It’s a diverse field of athletes. (Volunteers) can see sporting events you wouldn’t normally see in Des Moines.”

With approximately 1,100 volunteers signed up, Den Hartog’s staff is short of the 2,500 volunteers they originally said they needed.

“The actual number needed is dropping because people are taking two, three, four, even six shifts,” said Den Hartog. “The response has been amazing.”

He said the biggest need at this point is for groups of 20-30 people to volunteer together. A pool of weekday volunteers has also come up short.

“If people think it’s too late to volunteer, it’s not because we’ve got a whole staff of people that can organize volunteers.”

Anyone interested in volunteering can call 243-1718 or visit www.desmoinessports.org.

Edwards praised the efforts of local corporate sponsors, which are donating money and volunteer time to help the Junior Olympics come together.

“That determines the success of the games,” he said.

Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino will serve as the presenting sponsor. Principal Financial Group Inc. is hosting the Celebration of Athletes on Wednesday, Aug. 4, at 7 p.m. at Sec Taylor Stadium with games, music and food following the ceremonies.

“They (Principal) have really taken that event, and it will be a great event to showcase Des Moines,” Edwards said.

Des Moines will say goodbye to the games on Aug. 7, but not for long. The city is slated to host the AAU Junior Olympics again in 2009.

“We’ll follow the whole course of the games and take notes and makes adjustments for the next time around,” said Edwards.