Skaters will glide into Peoria

USA Roller Sports will hold championships in Peoria, providing big influx of tourist dollars





Tuesday, March 4, 2008

By John Sharp

of the Journal Star
PEORIA - Thousands of skaters will visit Peoria for 25 days next year during the national championships of two roller skating events expected to generate strong business for regional hotels.

USA Roller Sports, recognized by the United States Olympic Committee as the National Governing Body for Competitive Roller Sports in the United States, is estimated to bring about 3,000 skaters to Peoria for its national championships of inline speed skating and figure skating from July 16 to Aug. 10, 2009, at the Civic Center.

"This again goes toward that reputation Peoria has as kind of an amateur sports mecca," said Brent Lonteen, president/CEO of the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, referencing national amateur softball championships held in East Peoria. "This is something unusual. It's a big event. It's here for 25 consecutive days."

Lonteen said the biggest boon could be for area hotels. In past USARS championship events held in Omaha, Neb., and Lincoln, Neb., anywhere between 10,000 to 12,000 hotel nights were used by visitors, he said.

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