Reno casino executives concerned about end of bowling tournament
Monday, June 29, 1998 | 9:50 a.m.
The American Bowling Congress men's tournament drew 83,025 bowlers from across the country to the National Bowling Stadium and generated millions of dollars for Reno's tourism-dependent economy.
"It's been a boon for this property and I think for all of Reno this winter," said Ferenc Szony, president and chief executive officer at The Sands Regency Hotel Casino.
But Szony and his colleagues are worried because the tournament won't return to Reno until 2001 and four new Las Vegas megaresorts are expected to open before then.
"We're very concerned about it," Szony told the Reno Gazette-Journal.
Steve Trounday, marketing director for Fitzgeralds Casino-Hotel, agreed: "My biggest fear is the loss of bowlers and we need to replace those people."
The $50 million bowling stadium was built in downtown Reno to draw a steady flow of visitors during the slower winter and spring tourist seasons.
The economic impact of this year's tournament hasn't been calculated, but the ABC's first event at the stadium in 1995 generated $230 million for the local economy.
ABC is booked at the stadium every third year through 2007. The Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority is working to extend the contract by five more tournaments - through 2022.
"It's a heck of a convention to have," said Rick Murdock, director of sales at the Eldorado Hotel Casino. "They are feeding that economic machine."
ABC's counterpart, the Women's International Bowling Congress, is booked at the stadium every third year through 2009. Its next tournament in Reno is scheduled for 2000.
John Farahi, chief executive at the Atlantis Casino Resort, said he's also concerned about a lack of huge bowling tournaments at the stadium until then.
"But on the other side of the coin, California's economy is going gangbusters" and that should draw more visitors to Reno, he said. "I do not see the doom and the gloom that some people talk about."
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Sarah Palin wasn’t a disaster, but Obama is
- CityCenter’s Mandarin Oriental makes Vegas debut
- Kimbo Slice not enjoying cutting weight for first time
- As national jobless rate improves, LV sees signs of trouble
- AG says any Station Casinos trustee must be licensed by regulators
- Kruger may soon seek more disciplined shot selection
- Pacquiao-Mayweather fight on, March date likely
- Del Sol seeks upset against powerhouse Bishop Gorman
- Sub-freezing temperatures hit Las Vegas
- Jim Gibbons vs. Harry Reid: Health care plan ignites dispute
Blogs
Robin Leach's Las Vegas Celebrity Watch
Great Santa Run: Unofficial 14,595 runners would be a new record
Elsewhere
Rampage Jackson to return to UFC (2 Comments)
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Superintendents want state to immediately seek Race to Top funds
Top Chef: Las Vegas
The Jet Stream: The great Jennifer debate (2 Comments)
The Kats Report
From Eva Longoria Parker to a cluster of execs, crowd takes a shine to Crystals (3 Comments)
Elsewhere
Harry Reid's recipe for getting health-care deal done (10 Comments)
UNLV in at No. 11 in SI's college hoops power rankings (3 Comments)
Calendar »
- 5 Sat
- 6 Sun
- 7 Mon
- 8 Tue
- 9 Wed
-
Chickenfoot at The Joint
The Joint | 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale at the Pearl
The Pearl at the Palms | 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
-
Great Santa Run at Town Square
Town Square | 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
-
Willie Nelson at Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts
Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino | 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Cash'd Out at Aliante Station
Aliante Station Casino and Hotel | 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Brooks & Dunn at the Hilton
Las Vegas Hilton
-
Ron White performs at the Mirage
Terry Fator Theatre
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati












