News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD) is set for a big casino night fund-raiser (or "Friendraiser") on Saturday, January 24, with prizes including an autographed Kurt Warner Arizona Cardinals football jersey and a football autographed by Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin.
Folks might be feeling even friendlier than usual toward the district if they realized how much SPRD does to prop up the winter economy in Sisters. Sisters Park & Recreation District will bring a welcome infusion of tourism and cash into town with a pair of youth basketball tournaments that are expected to bring about 3,000 people to town for each event.
District Sports Programs Manager Shalee Hicks has organized two tournaments this year. The first runs February 6-8 and it will draw teams from as far away as Olympia, Washington, and Medford, Oregon.
"I'm programing for 64 teams," Hicks said.
That translates to 3,000 people, including players, coaches and their families, according to Hicks and SPRD Executive Director Carrie Ward. Estimating that each individual spends $125 on lodging, shopping and meals, Ward estimates the economic impact at $375,000 per tournament.
SPRD is enhancing their tournament program to draw teams in tough economic times.
"I try to come up with a format that puts us out of the ordinary tournament," Hicks said.
The SPRD format guarantees six games per team, making it worthwhile to travel for the weekend. SPRD is also using certified officials and tightening up details to enhance the quality of the tournament.
"All the games will be right here in Sisters," Hicks noted. In previous years, some games have taken teams to Bend and Redmond. This year, SPRD wanted to keep all the action - and all the benefits - in Sisters.
Hicks noted that each visitor with the tournaments will have a lanyard so they can be readily identified by merchants offering discounts to tournament visitors. It will also help SPRD track the economic impact of the visitors.
Local lodging properties have given discounts to help make the weekend affordable for participants.
SPRD is looking for sponsors for the tournaments.
"Shalee has put together some really affordable sponsorship opportunities for local businesses," Ward said.
For more information on sponsorships, call SPRD at 549-2091.
The SPRD Small Change for Big Change Casino Night Friendraiser runs 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. on January 24, at the FivePine Conference Center. Tickets are available at the SPRD office or at the door. Games include Blackjack, Craps, Roulette and Texas Hold 'Em.
According to Ward, proceeds will benefit a scholarship program that helps families who have a hard time meeting program fee requirements.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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