COEUR d'ALENE - Ironman Coeur d'Alene returns for another three years - the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce has decided to continue sponsoring the event.

"We polled our membership and the vast majority of those who responded support keeping it here," said Chamber CEO Steve Wilson. "Seventy-two percent said we should continue to subsidize the event."

Wilson said after the chamber announced its plans to possibly end the Ironman race, which has been in Coeur d'Alene for 10 years, the community response was significant - even among non-chamber members.

Wilson said people didn't realize in order to host an Ironman event, somebody has to pay nearly "six figures" to sponsor it, so this time he asked chamber members if they would be willing to pledge $100, $250 or $500 to help with the fees.

"We had a lot of people pledge money if we bring the event back," he said.

The chamber has set up a new "Friends of CDA Ironman" group that will focus on raising the money so the chamber doesn't have to dip into its general fund to foot the bill.

The new group will have a separate bank account and will be chaired by Teri Nipp in 2015. Nipp facilitated the very first meeting between city leaders in Coeur d'Alene and owners of Ironman while she worked for the Spokane Sports Commission.

Aside from the fundraising on an ongoing basis, the committee will also work closely with the Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association to capitalize on the event, Wilson said.

As part of the new contract with Ironman, Wilson said the World Triathlon Corporation has agreed to keep the streets clear on the Thursday and Friday prior to the race.

In the past, Wilson said, the course would be constructed two days in advance, and while that was convenient for race organizers, it was not so convenient for locals trying to get around town and some of the business owners along Sherman Avenue.

"It will probably cost them a little more in overtime," Wilson said. "But it won't be tying up traffic."

The WTC has also agreed to move the kids triathlon to McEuen Park the day before the main race.

"Now it will be on Saturday and they will stay contained in the park," he said.

"Hopefully these changes coupled with continued community support and financial contributions will translate to a commitment to the event in 2018 through 2022," Wilson said in a written statement to his members.

Those wanting to volunteer for the new Friends of CDA Ironman committee can email Wilson at [email protected], and those wanting to donate to the sponsorship fee can email the chamber's finance manager, Ginger Dalvini, at [email protected].