JANESVILLE, Wis. -- A major ski show that was expected to bring hundreds to the Janesville area has been moved, causing another blow to the city's economy.

For the second time in three years, the Rock Aqua Jays won't be hosting the Division 1 Water Ski National Championships in Janesville later this month.

Flooding at Traxler Park forced officials to move the competition to Wisconsin Rapids.

"Now we are losing the middle to the whole second half of the season this year, and we didn't get on right away. This is just killing us, as well as financially and trying to keep members and stuff," said Gary Luiting, of the Rock Aqua Jays.

The Convention and Visitors Bureau estimated the competition would have brought $2.5 million to the Janesville area.

"We have economic impact that not only came from spectators and participants, but all of those people that come into town spend three to four days. They stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, shop at our retailers and really get involved in the Janesville community. So not having that influx of people really does have an impact on the businesses here," said Christine Rebout, of the Janesville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

For businesses such as the Holiday Inn Express, moving the tournament means a loss of thousands of dollars. The general manager said of the hotel's 142 rooms, more than 80 had been booked for the show.

"Janesville has taken things in stride. We haven't pulled the sidewalks in; we are still here. People are still operating their businesses. Yeah, we've been dealt another blow, but you have to just pick up and keep going," said Tim McCan, of Holiday Inn Express.

The high water that kept the tournament from town has also prevented the Rock Aqua Jays from practicing. Despite that, team members still plan to compete and continue doing what they love.

The Rock Aqua Jays bought new equipment in anticipation of the tournament. Now they are working with the host team in Wisconsin Rapids and plan to bring some of it with them so it won't go to waste, WISC-TV reported.

The team said that people will be able to watch video of the tournament online at www.usawaterski.org.