25 to 1 return on investment
SYRACUSE -- The USBC Women's Bowling Championships at the Oncenter has met expectations and then some, according to the Convention and Visitor's Bureau.
According to David Holder of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the tournament attracted about $40 million in economic activity throughout Central New York, which he says amounts to a 25 to 1 return on investment. The women's bowling tournament generated controversy locally when the Oncenter offered its facilities rent free on the expectation that the 36,000 bowlers and their families would spend $40 million in tourism dollars.
Earlier this month, the Onondaga County Legislature spent $1.8 million dollars to bail out the Oncenter for the loss of revenue brought about by the tournament.
According to Oncenter director Terri Toennies, the amount of money from hotel room surcharges and sales taxes won't be known until September, but she's confident it will more than make up for the taxpayer investment needed to land the bowling tournament.
The Oncenter is hoping to attract the men's bowling tournament for 2015. That event will last for six months and could generate more than $70 million in economic activity, according to Holder.
The women's event, which started April 7th, will wrap up on July 3rd. It will be followed by a three day senior bowling tournament next week. At the conclusion of the senior event, the wood used to construct the bowling lanes will be dismantled and donated to Habitat for Humanity.
