The No. 1 source for bowling news, analysis and opinion is my blog, The 11th Frame, which is here: http://host.madison.com/sports/recreation/bowling/
Title: Re: Facelift Planned for National Bowling Stadium
Post by: Coolerman on July 13, 2011, 07:40:54 AM
Thanks,Riggs.I have seen some of the info about Orlando,but not the why you just broke
it down.Great job.
Title: Re: Facelift Planned for National Bowling Stadium
Post by: Jorge300 on July 13, 2011, 11:44:43 AM
Thanks Riggs and Coolerman.
Riggs I posted comments similar to yours in another thread here. In today's economy, and the projected slow economic growth in the foreseeable future, I don't see how either site can sit idle for a year while a 3rd city is added into the rotation. Even if they get other business or other tournaments, a center of the size they are bantering around for Orlando, it won't survive without a huge tournament like the USBC Open or the USBC Women's Open every year, in my opinion.
And while this will satisfy the "whiners" about the tournament not coming East or being in Reno too much, I don't think it will bring cost significantly lower for anyone over Reno. While airfare to Reno is expensive for most, hotels and food are rather cheap. With Disney there, I don't see airfares being that much cheaper for people, even those on the East coast and hotels and food will be much more expensive then Reno (I say this thinking for the same quality of room, if you want to stay at a rat-infested roach hotel, you might find rooms cheaper then Reno, lol). Again with Disney and Co, there, the idea of a family vacation added onto the trip will be worth the added costs for some, and will hold appeal for the short-term, just as Reno did for a while. But once everyone has seen the theme parks there, we will probably hear the same complaints we are hearing about Reno now, I would bet good money on that.
Jorge300
Edited by Jorge300 on 7/13/2011 at 11:44 AM
Title: Re: Facelift Planned for National Bowling Stadium
Post by: spmcgivern on July 13, 2011, 12:01:33 PM
Imagine the difficulty in trying to get a tournament date after school has ended. No one will want to go before June 1st if the intent is to make it a "family" vacation. At least in Reno there isn't as much for children to do, thus making the trips more adult only and making the timing of them easier.
If it were me planning a tournament in Orlando, I would shift the window of dates to end in late August.
But what does it matter, the Orlando center seems doomed, or already is.
I am not a pro-bowler, but I do play one on BallReviews.com
Title: Re: Facelift Planned for National Bowling Stadium
Post by: jaydee on July 13, 2011, 12:05:18 PM
Quote
I just don't see Orlando or Reno officials settling for having their facility sitting empty once every three years.
Except Orlando wouldn't have to sit empty, as it would be a private entity available for whoever wanted to rent it locally for leagues or such. The Stadium in Reno can only be used for tourist-only activities, being handcuffed by the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce if I recall correctly.
The opinion expressed here represents all major bowling ball and equipment manufacturers, not my own.
Edited by jaydee on 7/13/2011 at 12:06 PM
Edited by jaydee on 7/13/2011 at 12:07 PM
Title: Re: Facelift Planned for National Bowling Stadium
Post by: milorafferty on July 13, 2011, 12:10:43 PM
I've mentioned this before on this topic. The Stadium doesn't sit empty very many weekends. There are quite a few tournaments that are held there. Monday thru Thursday maybe, but not Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Title: Re: Facelift Planned for National Bowling Stadium
Post by: jaydee on July 13, 2011, 12:30:16 PM
I know there's some sort of restriction over what events can be held there. Pretty sure local leagues can't be held there. Which in Orlando they could, so it would actually attract weekday traffic in addition to weekends.
Title: Re: Facelift Planned for National Bowling Stadium
Post by: riggs on July 14, 2011, 05:08:19 AM
Stadium in Reno is NOT allowed to have leagues.
And if you think a 100-lane facility (or 80 or whatever it ends up being) is going to be able to once every three years create enough leagues and other business to come close to equaling a USBC tourney, I have only one thing to say: WOW.
"Come bowl league here this season and then next two seasons you are out."
Sure, they will get some business but to think it will even come close ... and with the debt service they obviously are going to have ... just don't see it happening.
The No. 1 source for bowling news, analysis and opinion is my blog, The 11th Frame, which is here: http://host.madison.com/sports/recreation/bowling/
Edited by riggs on 7/14/2011 at 5:08 AM
Title: Re: Facelift Planned for National Bowling Stadium
Post by: jaydee on July 14, 2011, 05:52:15 AM
I don't think anyone is arguing that Non-USBC National years would come close to USBC tourney utlization with leagues. Does any bowling center in the country? They run something like 80% capacity 18 hours a day for 4 months (ballpark figures, just made those up based on what I saw in Reno).
My point is, Orlando would have the potential for (much) higher utilization than Reno because it would be a) private, b) associated with Disney, c) has an already steady stream of tourists that far exceeds Reno.
Title: Re: Facelift Planned for National Bowling Stadium
Post by: milorafferty on July 14, 2011, 08:37:00 AM
I agree. I'm not saying Reno has leagues, but they do have a somewhat steady business when the Open isn't there. I will bowl there 4 times this year (not counting the Open). Orlando has a much larger population base to draw from in their surrounding area. There will be a lot of weekend tournaments and events to help support that facility.
Of course, this won't completely pay for the building of the facility, but it will help with the costs.
Title: Re: Facelift Planned for National Bowling Stadium
Post by: Tex on July 20, 2011, 07:44:05 PM
Off subject. But my vote Might lean towards San Antonio in 2015, then they can set up a new rotation. While it would be nice to visit El Paso having been to San Antonio many times over the years. The safety of the El Paso area may be a bit more suspect. Even better would be San Antonio and then Syracuse in 2016, then let Reno have us back again. I would really like to go eat at Dinosaurs BBQ again. That alone is enough to make me think about my first choice.
Roll with 900 Global.
Made in Texas!
Title: Re: Facelift Planned for National Bowling Stadium
Post by: txbowler on July 22, 2011, 12:59:51 PM
The San Antonio option will be very interesting as many on here and on the bowl.com board believe that no city without casinos will ever win a nationals bid.