Reno’s bowling stadium could face competition from Florida

Friday, Jan. 29, 1999 | 2:59 a.m.

A Florida county and the biggest bowling groups that use Reno's $50 million stadium are negotiating to build a $45 million "World Bowling Village" outside Disney World.

The project as planned would include a 60-lane stadium, 16-lane training center and eight-lane research and development center.

If approved, it could open in two years and host its first big tournament in 2002.

Ken Sawyer, project manager for Bowling Inc., whose membership groups include the American Bowling Congress and Women's International Bowling Congress, said the group is not trying to compete with Reno.

"This will be our world headquarters," Sawyer told the Reno Gazette-Journal. He added that the deal would also involve moving Bowling Inc. offices and about 300 employees.

"Unlike Reno, we will manage the property," he said. "It will be our venue."

Under the proposed deal, Bowling Inc. and Osceola County would each pay for a quarter of the project. The state would pay for the remaining half.

The County Commission is scheduled to consider the matter on Feb. 22.

The ABC and WIBC have a contract to hold their tournaments in Reno every three years through 2009.

The events bring in tens of thousands of bowlers over several months and generates millions of dollars for the local economy.

Jack Cook, vice president of stadium operations for the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, said he doesn't think a stadium in Florida five miles from Disney World would hurt activity in Reno.

"I think it's a marketing opportunity for the ABC to market both facilities together" and provide bowlers with an adult trip one year and a family one the next, Cook said.

Jack Mordini of the ABC in Greendale, Wis., said he doesn't believe a Florida stadium would hurt Reno because bowlers like this northern Nevada gambling town.