OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Mark Wilson, owner of Wilson Endurance Sports, previously served as a Village Trustee before stepping down from the board earlier this year.

CASSADAGA — A thriving business in Cassadaga will continue its partnership with the village moving forward.

Wilson Endurance Sports submitted eight events for approval from the Cassadaga Village Board, which were unanimously approved at a recent meeting. The events span through most of 2024, from the Frozen 50K on Feb. 3 to kick off the schedule, and ending with the KBR Triathlon on Sept. 14. The schedule also features three parts of the Summer Tri Series, set for June 5, July 3, and Aug. 7; the Frickin’ Hot 50K on Aug. 3; the Cassadaga Kids Triathlon on Aug. 10; and the annual CassadagaMan event set for Aug. 31.

Owners Mark and Tonia Wilson each stepped down from roles within the Cassadaga local government over the past year, as they were both subjected to public criticism for having conflicts of interest in serving the community while also profiting through their business.

However, Wilson Endurance Sports has directly contributed more than $23,000 to the community since the events began, dating back to 2018. This past year, Wilson Endurance Sports donated $3,100 to various village entities, including $1,425 to the Chautauqua County Fire Police and $1,075 to the Cassadaga Food Pantry.

Also of note from the recent Village Board meeting, the village’s beach program welcomed 3,115 guests for the season. The beach also hit 2,500 guests for the year excluding Wilson Endurance Sports events, with an additional 1,210 guests from Wilson Endurance Sports events, such as the Cassadaga Man and various triathlons. In total, more than 6,800 people visited the beach this summer. Of those visitors, only two injuries were reported, with no rescues required or incidents of vandalism.

The village is also continuing discussions regarding the Bathhouse at the Beach. Trustee Bill Astry and Department of Public Works Supervisor Sam Alaimo have inspected the bathhouse and are working on a plan.

Also shared at the recent meeting was a monthly report from the Cassadaga Fire Department. During the month of August, the Cassadaga Fire Department responded to 16 emergency medical service calls, three fire calls, and one alarm activation for a total of 20 calls in the month. An additional 10 calls of mutual aid were responded to.

The Board also approved the hiring of Andrew Apthorpe as a seasonal worker at an hourly rate of $15.50. Apthorpe was interviewed by Mayor Bill Dorman and Trustee Bill Astry.

Applications were also approved for the Cassadaga Valley Midget Football League to use the Johnny Fessenden Ballfields for a Trunk-or-Treat event on Oct. 24, and for the American Legion to begin alcohol sales at 8 a.m. on Oct. 8, the morning of the Buffalo Bills game in London.