Bowlers Journal International - March 2008 - (Page 75)

BY JIM DRESSEL THE NEW ST. LOUIS BLUES HOME, HOME, BUT ON WHICH RANGE? The Museum/Hall's plan to accept $8.9 million in nonindustry dollars hits a major USBC snag. FOR 22 MONTHS, THE INTERNATIONAL Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame was in limbo. Its future was keyed to the decision of St. Louis officials as to how they wanted to proceed with the development of their Ballpark Village, a complex which would incorporate the stadium for the (baseball) Cardinals, along with shops, condominiums and, the IBMHF Trustees hoped, their Museum. Then, on the eve of the BPAA Summit, a solution finally presented itself that, along with perpetuating the Hall's home in St. Louis, also would inject $8.9 million of non-industry dollars into the Museum. The Trustees rejoiced and voted 11-0 to accept the offer. All that remained to be done was for the United States Bowling Congress to release the deed of trust to the IBMHF — the note is currently valued at $3,643,000, easily offset by the $8.9 million — so the Trustees could proceed with their St. Louis plans. In this age of industry unity, that had to be a nobrainer, right? Wrong. The USBC Board considered the motion to release the deed then voted it down. If the USBC's decision to move to Arlington was a surprise, this rejection was a shock of seismic proportions. Yet the first time most Summit attendees heard about it was when Pat Ciniello, Trustee Chairman, spoke at the Industry Update. He revealed that USBC had turned thumbs down to the idea of releasing the deed of trust. "Presently, we have the option to sell, but USBC gave us no other options. That means [St. Louis officials] will foreclose via eminent domain. The legal fees under [that status], alone, could cost us from $250,000 to $400,000." He didn't have to say it, but as an eminent domain property, the value of the IBMHF would be further depressed if a sale were forced. Speaking for the USBC, President Jeff Bojé said, "The Board of the USBC had all that information when it made its decision." Without explaining why, he noted that the Board felt it would be best if the Museum moved to Arlington with USBC. "I would throw any organization under the bus if I thought it'd be in the best interests An architect's rendering of the new IBMHF if St. Louis remains its home. of bowling." Perhaps BPAA President-Elect Jim Sturm put the the bottom line of everything and the issue in the best perspective when he Museum has had a positive cash flow later described "the bowling campus" for 17 out of the last 18 years where it as being in an area that is becoming is now. Besides, [the USBC move to] known as "the entertainment capital of Arlington isn't a done deal. the Southwest." Since new administra"We just want to keep our relationtive offices do not qualify as "entertainship with the industry and the Ballpark ment," while the IBMHF does, maybe on good terms. Towards that end, I’ve USBC's decision can be understood in been instructed to work closely with that light although, as one wag was Jeff [Bojé] and John [Berglund, BPAA overheard to say, "When people go to Executive Director] in seeing if we can Six Flags, they're not gonna say, 'Let's resolve the issues." visit the Bowling Museum'." Ciniello admitted to being "optimistic" Added BPAA President Joe Schuabout those future discussions. He had macker: "I made a point of saying that a big chip to play: "We have offered there would be a few bumps in the to build a satellite Hall of Fame in the road eventually. It looks like we’ve Arlington facility; we think it would be a come up to one already." great complement to the complex." The Hall Trustees had a subsequent IBMHF Trustee Wally Hall contended meeting, and were given a 30- to 45-day at the Industry Update that the USBC extension (through March) by Ballpark should honor the Museum's to release Village to work out the differences. the deed. "The IBMHF is an indepen"St. Louis is still our preferred locadent entity. You can’t treat the Hall of tion," said Ciniello, "but we're looking at Fame as a step-child." INTERNATIONAL BOWLING MUSEUM & HALL OF FAME MARCH 2008 bowlers journal international 75

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Bowlers Journal International - March 2008

Bowlers Journal International - March 2008 Contents Leading Off Letters Bowlitically Incorrect Par Bowling The Coach Calendar Inside Line Tournaments The Truth Be Bowled Pro Bowling Back On Track Weber Tales Spares Do Matter Cover Story Up Close USBC Women's Time Capsule Flashback Strategy Session Guest Column Regional Roundup Team USA Trials Military Salute Global Guide No Holes Barred Marketplace Bowling Summit Museum Update Hall Marks Advertisers' Index Rememberance Classified Advertising Intelligencer Business Calendar Business People Strikes Me

Bowlers Journal International - March 2008

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