INTERNATIONAL BOWLING CAMPUS GRAND OPENING IS ALL ABOUT THE SPORT AND INDUSTRY

 Under a clear blue sky and in front of an overflow audience, the International Bowling Campus officially became a reality Monday.

Grand Opening attendees, many of whom arrived in red Arlington tourist trolleys, listened to speakers from national and local elected officials to members of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau to national bowling leaders. They also watched a special time capsule be buried, took part in two ribbon cuttings and a ceremonial first ball roll.

“This is one exciting day in Arlington,” said Arlington Convention and Visitor’s Bureau President and Chief Executive Officer Jay Burgess. “It means so much to us in so many ways.

“The eyes of the world have been on us for awhile and you just added to that. We are the home of America’s pastime (Texas Rangers baseball), the home of America’s Team (the Dallas Cowboys) and now the home to the largest participatory sport in America.”

The Grand Opening capped a more than two-year vision to bring most of bowling’s major organizations in one place. Between the International Training and Research Center to the south to the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame to the north, the campus is the corporate home of the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America, United States Bowling Congress, Strike Ten Entertainment, The Bowling Foundation, International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association, Bowling and Billiards Association, Bowling Writers Association of America and Bowling News Network.

The 100,000-square-foot complex is located at 621 Six Flags Drive, across the street from Six Flags Over Texas and near Cowboys Stadium and Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

“This may be the most important day in bowling history and that says a lot in the 5,000-year history in bowling,” said BPAA Executive Director Steve Johnson. “This facility is unparalleled in the sports and entertainment world. This is not about any one leader or any one organization. It’s about what’s best for the industry of bowling.”

“This represents more than the bowling organizations coming together. This represents the future of this industry,” said USBC Executive Director Stu Upson. “There will be some hard work ahead but I guarantee it will be a great ride.”

“The building of the Hall is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when you get everyone together to accomplish a mission,” said IBM/HF Executive Director Bill Supper.

Following the 50-minute ceremonies, the Campus was open for tours of the ITRC and the IBM/HF. After a special reception for IBM/HF contributors, the national Bowl for the Cure kickoff for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure was held at the ITRC.

People touring the ITRC saw firsthand how bowling balls, pins, lanes and lane dressing will be tested plus learned the latest about BPAA and USBC coaching programs. Those visiting the IBM/HF saw the new combination of the sport from both the historical and contemporary views. All seemed impressed with what they saw.

In summing up what the opening of the Campus means, Johnson read directly from an article by writer Rick Press in Monday’s Fort Worth Star-Telegram: