Focus on the economy Sports tournaments
SPRINGFIELD — Hundreds packed local bowling alleys Saturday for the start of the Ohio Women’s Bowling Association state tournament.
The tournament has been to Springfield six times since 1952, and brings 5,000 bowlers and their families during a 13-week period to bowl, eat and shop in town.
“The estimated economic impact is nearing $1 million,” said Chris Schutte, director of the Clark County Convention and Visitors Bureau, at the opening ceremonies at Northridge Lanes, 1333 Moorefield Road, on Saturday morning.
Schutte said the estimates come from a state formula that calculates overnight trips.
The CVB is running welcome tables at Northridge and Victory Lanes, 1906 Commerce Circle, to give visitors maps, local destinations and promotional items to show Springfield’s appreciation for the visit, Schutte said.
“These guys are a great group to work with, and we try to make it easier on them to bring (the tournament) to Springfield,” Schutte said.
Numerous women from the Springfield District Women’s Bowling Association thanked Schutte and the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce for their help.
“It took us three years to plan this,” said Edie Smith, the association’s second vice president. The tournament “allows us to bring more bowlers into the association.”
The tournament started off with team competitions at Northridge and Victory Lanes.
For Kay Edwards of Cincinnati, it was her first time bowling in Springfield with her team, Quantam Leap.
“I love Springfield so far. The roadways are marvelous,” Edwards said.
The team almost couldn’t make it, she said, because their location on the east side of Cincinnati is close to much of the storm damage from Friday.
“We just live very, very close to it, we held our breath,” she said. That they could come to the tournament and bowl, “is just beautiful.”
Local team Alley Oops is excited for the home field advantage. The team has bowled together for 30 years, and won the state tournament in 1996.
Sue Denson of Springfield said the team acts as unofficial ambassadors for Springfield
“We can tell people where everything is. This is a nice place with so many different things,” she said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0371 or emason@coxohio.com.
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