Politics & Government

Neighboring Cities Debate Benefit of Supporting University Place During 2015 U.S. Open

How will University Place and surrounding cities benefit from the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay Golf Course?

Come 2015, University Place is anticipating large returns from the U.S. Open, which will bring an estimated 235,000 visitors to the Chambers Bay Golf Course and flood the local economy.

The sheer volume of visitors is enough to overwhelm University Place’s resources and the United States Golf Association (USGA) is asking neighboring cities to help out.

That contribution could come in the form of donating police services, said USGA Deputy Executive Director Kevin Phelps, during a recent presentation to the Lakewood City Council.

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But Lakewood Mayor Don Anderson questioned whether it was worth it for his city, when University Place has the most to gain.

His argument? University Place can directly benefit from admission and other taxes, but neighboring cities will not.

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"Whether it's short-term or long-term, it's very tough to justify contributing our police force," said Anderson.

University Place will also reap the rewards  of merchandise sales, food stands or any other U.S. Open-related amenity that could generate sales tax dollars.

Phelps stressed to the Lakewood City Council that the 2015 U.S. Open will benefit the entire region, unlike anything it has experienced. He added that the USGA has already reserved virtually every hotel room in Lakewood during the tournament for staff.

Pierce County expects the Chambers Bay event to have a $144 million impact on the entire region, with corporate hospitality bringing in one-third of that revenue. (Read more on Patch).

"I would like to think that the U.S. Open will put the South Sound on the map," Phelps said.

In an interview with the Tacoma News Tribune, Phelps said that his agency is continuing to reach out to other cities and public agencies to help within the next year. Pierce County and the USGA also plan to partner in a public safety committee, which will develop a plan to develop traffic control and security protocol for the event. Some members of the University Place city staff will also visit the U.S. Open at the Merion Golf Course this June to witness the impacts on the economy of the community of Ardmore, Pennsylvania, west of Philadelphia.

What kind of role do you think the South Sound will play when the 2015 U.S. Open rolls around? Will everyone benefit, or will it just be something to complain about? Tell us in the comments below.


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