Post by: riggs on June 09, 2008, 09:57:50 AM
USBC Open/Women's Championships to call Disney World property home
6/9/2008
USBC Open Championships
The United States Bowling Congress announced today it will hold 13 events - seven Open Championships and six Women's Championships - from 2011 through 2029 in a privately-funded bowling center on land being made available at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex in Osceola County, Fla.
The agreement begins with the 2011 Open Championships. The Open will be held every three years after that through 2029. The first Women's Championships will be in 2013 and held every three years through 2028.
"USBC is proud to bring two of the world's largest participatory sporting events to Osceola County," said USBC Vice President of Tournaments and Events Jack Mordini. "USBC's partnership with Osceola County, Disney Sports Enterprises, the Central Florida Sports Commission and the developer will bring hundreds of thousands of participants and visitors to Central Florida who will enjoy the many amenities and attractions the area has to offer. This is one of the greatest announcements in the bowling industry since the invention of the automatic pinsetter."
Each tournament will run for approximately 20 weeks and is expected to draw tens of thousands of bowlers and spectators. The USBC Open Championship is projected to generate approximately 59,000 room nights per tournament and the Women's Championship is projected to generate approximately 40,000 room nights per tournament for Osceola County. Combined, the tournaments are expected to generate nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars in economic impact for the community over that time period.
"Osceola County is thrilled that this endeavor, nicknamed Project Rolling Rock by the Economic Development Department, has come to fruition. We welcome USBC to our community," said Commissioner Ken Shipley.
The Central Florida Sports Commission worked with the USBC and related parties to develop this opportunity for Osceola County.
"The acquisition of this business is a watershed event for Osceola County. The USBC Championships will be a powerful annuity program for the County for the next 20 years," said John Saboor, president of the Central Florida Sports Commission.
Osceola County was one of five communities under consideration for the 2011 USBC Open Championships. The others were Wichita, Kan.; Tulsa, Okla.; Corpus Christi, Texas; and Reno, Nev.
Walt Disney World Resort is making land available at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex to accommodate the large facility required to host the tournaments. Walt Disney World Resort will work closely with a third-party - to be announced later - to build and operate the privately-funded bowling center.
"We are excited to play a role in making this dream come true," said Ken Potrock, senior vice president of Disney Sports Enterprises. "This project is a reminder of just how much we can accomplish for our community when the public and private sectors work together."
Post by: JessN16 on June 09, 2008, 06:12:47 PM
Reason being, Disney is great at working with guests on moving people and their gear around. Not to mention the deals you can get on lodging and ESPECIALLY food if you book in advance and through Disney.
Let me put it this way: My wife and I spend seven days, six nights on the Disney complex last year and spent $1,600 for meals, lodging, tickets, trinkets, snacks, everything. Total. And it may have been less than that now that I think about it.
Jess
Post by: lefty50 on June 09, 2008, 06:51:55 PM
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Signature? I don't need no stinking signature...
Post by: AMP750 on June 09, 2008, 07:06:55 PM
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If you knock down 10 pins always smile,no matter how they fell. An X on the 1st ball is 1 step closer to 300.
Post by: mumzie on June 09, 2008, 08:05:42 PM
At least they do it really, really well.--------------------
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Post by: bolngod on June 09, 2008, 08:33:31 PM
Post by: sdbowler on June 09, 2008, 08:37:38 PM
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Brunswick
Kyle
Post by: Pinbuster on June 09, 2008, 09:24:34 PM
I don't like going to Reno every third year. I like seeing new places.
From now on it will be the 2 out of 3 years in the same place time after time.
Orlando will be my 25th and maybe my last.
Post by: NOTHUMB on June 09, 2008, 09:55:35 PM
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Only Losers Feel Pressure
www.thetimekillers.com
Post by: Pinbuster on June 10, 2008, 07:16:27 AM
I don't remember how long they re-upped for at the stadium but I thought it was for a decade or more then they replaced the lanes before the last tournament.
On edit I found an article that said Reno's contract was thru 2016. I would guess they would extend that at that time.
It is easier for the USBC not to have to build lanes each year and pay at least some of that construction cost to the host cities having arenas.
Edited on 6/10/2008 7:21 AM
Post by: Phoneman on June 10, 2008, 07:38:03 AM
Post by: actsbowler21 on June 10, 2008, 08:21:31 AM
In orlando, you have all the major theme parks for your children, casinos in tampa and brevard county for the guys and gals to do some extra gambling. Some cultural exhibits if you're into that thing, a wide variety of entertainment options (which I'll say Vegas has orlando trumped on that part at least)...The weather is good, sure it's hot and humid, but at least you'll encounter some rain during the day. And you're less than an hour away from both gulf and atlantic beaches.. Did I mention golf? Tons of golfing to be done. And Kegel is within an hour of a drive from where the center will be..
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Justin Buford
Post by: KDawg77 on June 10, 2008, 08:22:02 AM
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Ken
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Post by: Jorge300 on June 10, 2008, 08:22:22 AM
It makes sense from the USBC standpoint, if you've noticed we are repeating cities at a greater rate. Baton Rouge was just in 2005 and now it's back in 2012. Albuquerque was in 2000 and 2008. There just aren't enough cities that have a venue big enough to hold this tournament, that can be used for 1/2 of a year or more. These tpes of venues are booked years in advance sometimes for events. Now we have 2 "stadiums" built and waiting for us on each side of the country. While I too liked to see new cities, you can't fault the USBC for putting this together, it works for them, for Disney, for the Orlando area, and the bowlers will get used to it. Just like we did in going to Reno every third year.
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Jorge300
Post by: dpunky on June 10, 2008, 11:02:00 AM
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Ken - aka "dpunky" - Certified USBC Level I Coach
Post by: KDawg77 on June 10, 2008, 11:09:21 AM
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Ken
Videos at http://www.putfile.com/k-dawg77
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Post by: riggs on June 10, 2008, 12:23:21 PM
http://www.madison.com/tct/sports/290652
Post by: Fluff E Bunnie on June 10, 2008, 12:29:08 PM
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"When in doubt, pull out." - ESPN's Rob Stone
Post by: another300 on June 10, 2008, 03:08:32 PM
Post by: agroves on June 10, 2008, 07:33:42 PM
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--Andrew
Post by: htownstaff on June 10, 2008, 07:45:29 PM
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Brian Krantz
Track Amateur Staff
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Post by: riggs on June 10, 2008, 08:55:31 PM
Big question is will USBC take a third stadium site if offered? I would predict yes based on the $$$. Maybe their new HQ site? Or Tunica if casinos there want a steady stream of customers?
Post by: T Brockette on June 10, 2008, 09:17:11 PM
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Tracy
Bowlingchat.net (http://"http://www.bowlingchat.net")
Post by: NOTHUMB on June 11, 2008, 12:39:59 AM
I would have preferred other places, but they obviously werent options. Im glad to see something on the east coast---even if I still have to drive a ways to get there.
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Only Losers Feel Pressure
www.thetimekillers.com
Post by: Jorge300 on June 11, 2008, 09:10:30 AM
quote:
I agree with that, going back and forth isnt that appealing to me. However its better than if Reno had won the bidding on it outright. Again the story mentioned Reno in the mix for this---which meant what? Having Nationals at Reno every year, or 2 out of every 3 years? I like Reno, but thats a little much.
I would have preferred other places, but they obviously werent options. Im glad to see something on the east coast---even if I still have to drive a ways to get there.
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Only Losers Feel Pressure
www.thetimekillers.com
NoThumb,
I don't believe Reno was in the running for this kind of a deal. Reno was in the running to host the 2011 tournament when it was pulled from Wichita. So we would have been to Reno in 2010 and 2011 and then back again in 2013. This kind of a arrangement would only have been accepted in this type of a format, and I don't believe any other city other then Orlando (with the help/backing of Disney) could offer it.
To all: For years we have heard those from the eastern side of the country complain about having to go to Reno every 3 years. Now we hear people from the western side of the country complaining about going to Orlando every 3 years. You know what, suck it up and go. The Orlando deal is great for the USBC and will enable them to cut costs by not having to actually build/maintain/tear-down the tournament at a convention center now 2 of every 3 years. Orlando opens up the best scenarios for the bowlers as well....It gives Disney/MGM Studios/SeaWorld/Busch Gardens plenty of family entertainment. But it also offers the beach, if you go near the beginning or end of the tournament, perhaps a drive or flight to Daytona for the NASCAR races, or a flight to Miami for the IndyCar race at Homestead, Kennedy Space Center, etc. Lots of entertainment for adults and children that will make it a trip to look forward to.
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Jorge300
Post by: dpunky on June 11, 2008, 09:26:05 AM
I won't be surprised if USBC announces that they will build another permanent facility at or near their new TX headquarters to hold the open.
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Ken - aka "dpunky" - Certified USBC Level I Coach
Post by: Phoneman on June 11, 2008, 09:40:40 AM
Post by: T Brockette on June 11, 2008, 11:48:22 AM
I agree it is a great deal for the USBC. Like I said on my end, Not a gripe about east or west, I would just like to visit more places. I also agree that we might see another permanent location here in Texas in the future.
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Tracy
Bowlingchat.net (http://"http://www.bowlingchat.net")
Post by: Jorge300 on June 11, 2008, 01:14:40 PM
quote:
Jorge300,
I agree it is a great deal for the USBC. Like I said on my end, Not a gripe about east or west, I would just like to visit more places. I also agree that we might see another permanent location here in Texas in the future.
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Tracy
Bowlingchat.net (http://"http://www.bowlingchat.net")
Tracy,
Understood. I too like to see places. I missed Albuquerque in 2000 so this was my first trip there and I enjoyed seeing the city and the sights around it. But realistically, look at the upcoming cities already announced. There isn't a "new" one amoung them, unless you count Vegas where it hasn't been since 1986. Chances are there aren't too many "new" cities bidding on the tournament anymore. Most cities who have a convention center of the size needed to house the tournament are already booked with yearly events and can't accomodate the tournament for 7 months of a year. The times of seeing new cities all the time is past for this tournament, there are only a handful of cities it would go to anyway, and now we can stretch those out to last longer as well.
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Jorge300
Post by: T Brockette on June 11, 2008, 02:00:25 PM
At least if they put in Texas, I won't have far to drive.......wouldn't be a bad drive for you either....
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Tracy
Bowlingchat.net (http://"http://www.bowlingchat.net")
Post by: TWOHAND834 on June 11, 2008, 02:27:09 PM
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Steven Vance
Former Pro Shop Operator
If anyone out there is worried about the scores being too high, try duckpin!!
Post by: DOconTEX on June 11, 2008, 03:15:59 PM
I would prefer, however, to go to other places as one of the best parts of the trips to nats is to play new golf courses in different types of settings.
Post by: Mike James on June 14, 2008, 08:17:28 AM
quote:
Wow...less going West! I'm happy with that. Thing is...now gas is high enough to make me have to think about flying vs driving to FL. Heck...we haven't been East since....Syracuse? Great call!
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Brian Krantz
Track Amateur Staff
Building The Legion one member at a time!
Well Knoxville