It's easy to blame civic leaders when something goes wrong, so it's only fair to award a few roses when something good happens in Cedar Rapids.

And make no mistake about it, the state volleyball tournament is something very good for our community, pumping $1.8 million into the local economy on an annual basis.

Don't forget, Cedar Rapids was in danger of losing the state tournament when renovation work at the U.S. Cellular Center fell behind schedule and it became obvious the arena would not be available for this year's event.

That's when civic leaders went to work to keep the tournament at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena for a second straight year while work continues at the U.S. Cellular Center. Cedar Rapids officials, working together, put an attractive package together last spring and persuaded the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union to stay here and not move elsewhere.

Mayor Ron Corbett, City Manager Jeff Pomeranz, the Convention & Visitors Bureau, Venuworks (which manages the U.S. Cellular Center and ice arena) and the Doubletree by Hilton folks came up with a plan that convinced the IGHSAU to keep the event in Cedar Rapids.

Everybody made concessions, but it was well worth it.

The rental fee of $27,500 for the Ice Arena was waived for this year's state tournament and will be waived again in 2013 and 2014 at the U.S. Cellular Arena. The IGHSAU will pay half-price in 2015 before paying the full price again in 2016.

That's $96,250 worth of free rent, but a small price to pay to keep a $1.8 million annual tournament in town.

Other minor concessions were made as well, such as free hotel rooms for IGHSAU officials who will be running the state tournament, but that's another small drop in the bucket.

The state volleyball tournament has been held in Cedar Rapids since 1991. Mike Dick, the executive director of the IGHSAU, wanted to keep the tournament here, but owed it to his organization and member schools to consider other venues when it became obvious the U.S. Cellular would not be ready this year, as originally promised.

Dick did his job and civic leaders did theirs, and the result is a win-win situation for everyone.

This could be a banner year financially for the state tournament and its impact on the local economy, because the IGHSAU added a fifth class for the event this year. There are now 40 teams in the tournament instead of 32, which means more fans, more hotel rooms, more meals, more shopping and more fun for everyone.

A total of 24,400 fans attended the state tournament last year at the Ice Arena, which drew rave reviews from players, coaches and fans for its intimate setting and all that free parking.

The tournament begins Wednesday at 3 p.m. with the opening round of the Class 5A bracket and will conclude Saturday with the championship matches at 10 a.m. (Class 5A), noon (Class 4A), 2 p.m. (Class 3A), 4 p.m. (Class 2A) and 6 p.m. (Class 1A).

It's a massive undertaking for many people, but well worth the effort. The team champions will be determined on Saturday, but the city of Cedar Rapids is already a winner.