We attempted to get into Tamarac this morning, and they were overbooked. On a hunch we drove down to University and got on the priority list since Michael's first squad is at Uni tomorrow. Good thing, because they sold out well before the 1:30 start time.
So many parents have been complaining, but I have to say Jr. Gold has been nothing but accommodating over the years. In Dallas, bowlers only were able to practice ONCE at their first center. Last year, by request of the families, they allowed bowlers to purchase additional practice section wristbands for $10 each session to bowl at the other centers. The difference with Indianapolis was the houses were three 80-lane centers. Here the largest house seems to be 64. So subtract 16 lanes with at least 3 bowlers per lane, and I get a 50 or so squad difference in the practice squads. Give 50 more bowlers a chance at each squad and I'll bet the total overflow would have been far less. I'll check tomorrow during the tournament but I suspect the turnout at practice this year also exceeded any previous year. The kids are getting the message that they need to be better prepared.
So the centers are handling the overflow. University announced a by-demand squad at 4 pm, and before we left Tamarac, my husband had negotiated that they'd have a squad after the last scheduled one for overflow. Last night, the same thing happened at Boca, and they added a 4:30 squad after the 3:30.
Next year, there could be up to 1700 athletes. The only suggestion I will have for the Gold folks will be to allow people to purchase scheduled practice session tickets for all three squads--not just the one included in their packets for their first center. The Gold folks and the centers can better anticipate demand, and then add squads if necessary--all before they leave Wisconsin.
The boys are back at Tamarac now with Mario, and they'll be back for dinner soon.
Gotta split,
Angel
Posted by Angel Zobel-Rodriguez at July 9, 2006 12:55 PM