From Bowl.com
The United States Bowling Congress has reached an agreement to bring the 2011 USBC Open Championships to the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev.
The 2011 Open Championships was originally scheduled to be held in Osceola County, Fla., at a new 100-lane bowling facility in the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex on land made available by Walt Disney World. The current credit market delayed funding for a key third party involved with the construction project, jeopardizing the timeline for completion.
With the Open Championships now set to be held at the National Bowling Stadium in 2010 and 2011, USBC and the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority are teaming up to provide unprecedented exciting incentives for bowlers who attend both tournaments. At the 2011 Open Championships:
Every day, one bowler will win a high performance bowling ball.
Every five weeks, one team captain will win a new car or truck.
Team captains bringing four or more teams will receive a VIP stay complete with limo service and luxury hotel accommodations.
To be eligible for the incentive program, participation in both the 2010 and 2011 Open Championships is required.
"This agreement ensures the Open Championships has a first rate venue for 2011 and our partners in Reno stepped up to make it happen," said USBC Vice President of Tournaments and Events Jack Mordini. "The numbers show that the bowlers enjoy going to Reno and our relationship has been a great one over the years. With these new incentives, USBC bowlers will have a better chance at winning big in Reno than ever before."
The RSCVA, along with partner hotels, plan to develop additional unique benefit packages for USBC bowlers in the months ahead.
"We are extremely pleased to have been selected as the host city for the 2011 USBC Open Championships," said RSCVA President and Chief Executive Officer Ellen Oppenheim. "We are looking forward to opening our doors and providing an unparalleled experience for championship participants."
USBC remains optimistic that the Osceola County facility will open by 2012, which means the 2013 USBC Women's Championship would be the first USBC event held there.
"The impact of the credit crisis continues to be felt across the country," said USBC Chief Operating Officer Kevin Dornberger. "We recognize our members on the East Coast would like to see the Open Championships closer to home. The project in the Orlando area may not be ready in 2011, but we are committed to seeing an arena for bowling in this ideal location."
As the Open Championships continues to grow, fewer cities have large enough venues available to host the event. The Open Championships requires 100,000 square feet of convention center floor space for seven consecutive months.
"USBC has talked with nearly every potential host city in the eastern portion of the country," Mordini said. "City leaders are increasingly cautious about booking one event for seven months straight, even one with a proven track record of success like the Open Championships."
The USBC Open Championships is the largest participatory sporting event in the world with nearly 85,000 athletes competing during a 140-day stretch from late February through early July. The Open Championships creates an estimated $100-million impact for the local economy of the host city.
