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Ames filled to capacity for first Special Olympics USA games
By AMY LORENTZEN, Associated Press Writer
AMES (AP) --- The Iowa State University campus and local hotels will be filled to capacity this weekend as the first-ever Special Olympics USA National Games kick off in Ames.
Organizers expect about 25,000 people to visit central Iowa for the five-day competition and celebration. It's something that's posed some logistical hurdles in Ames, a city of about 50,000 people.
"It's just kind of been a puzzle to figure out where to put everybody," said Jennifer Tabke, who helps coordinate where the delegations from each state will stay.
About 4,000 athletes and coaches will be housed on the ISU campus, taking over dorms and other living areas.
"We're using nearly every building," Tabke said. "We will be the only group on campus at that time."
Many of the volunteers -- there's about 7,500 of them -- come from Iowa, but out-of-town volunteers planned to stay on campus. Hotel rooms have been reserved for VIP guests and Special Olympics officials, Tabke said.
Clint and Judy Hodges, of Ames, were among the Iowans volunteering at the games, and on Thursday gathered T-shirts and other Special Olympics gear from a residence hall at ISU. Judy Hodges said her hometown was the perfect spot for the games.
"It's easy to get around," she said. "It's not a big city."
The athletes' friends and families have booked most of the hotels in the area, with some staying as far away as Marshalltown -- about 40 miles east of Ames. Local church camps and 4-H camps will be open to families and volunteers, and even some area landowners plan to open their lots for the athletes' families who are camping or staying in RVs, she said.
"They are kind of everywhere, wherever they can find a spot," Tabke said.
Kerry Littman, who manages the University Inn and the Microtel Inn and Suites in Ames, said reservations started coming in about a year ago.
"We probably haven't been able to take reservations for six months," she said. "It's pretty phenomenal."
Other businesses are expected to benefit from the influx of visitors as well.
Jason Wheelock, manager of the warehouse-like barbecue eatery Hickory Park Restaurant Co., said Thursday that preparations are under way for more diners, including having extra staff on hand.
"We've never had this type of event before," he said. "We're going to prepare for the worst and hope for the best."
On the Net: Special Olympics USA National Games: http://www.2006nationalgames.org
Ames Chamber of Commerce: http://www.chamber.ames.ia.us/
Organizers expect about 25,000 people to visit central Iowa for the five-day competition and celebration. It's something that's posed some logistical hurdles in Ames, a city of about 50,000 people.
"It's just kind of been a puzzle to figure out where to put everybody," said Jennifer Tabke, who helps coordinate where the delegations from each state will stay.
About 4,000 athletes and coaches will be housed on the ISU campus, taking over dorms and other living areas.
"We're using nearly every building," Tabke said. "We will be the only group on campus at that time."
Many of the volunteers -- there's about 7,500 of them -- come from Iowa, but out-of-town volunteers planned to stay on campus. Hotel rooms have been reserved for VIP guests and Special Olympics officials, Tabke said.
Clint and Judy Hodges, of Ames, were among the Iowans volunteering at the games, and on Thursday gathered T-shirts and other Special Olympics gear from a residence hall at ISU. Judy Hodges said her hometown was the perfect spot for the games.
"It's easy to get around," she said. "It's not a big city."
The athletes' friends and families have booked most of the hotels in the area, with some staying as far away as Marshalltown -- about 40 miles east of Ames. Local church camps and 4-H camps will be open to families and volunteers, and even some area landowners plan to open their lots for the athletes' families who are camping or staying in RVs, she said.
"They are kind of everywhere, wherever they can find a spot," Tabke said.
Kerry Littman, who manages the University Inn and the Microtel Inn and Suites in Ames, said reservations started coming in about a year ago.
"We probably haven't been able to take reservations for six months," she said. "It's pretty phenomenal."
Other businesses are expected to benefit from the influx of visitors as well.
Jason Wheelock, manager of the warehouse-like barbecue eatery Hickory Park Restaurant Co., said Thursday that preparations are under way for more diners, including having extra staff on hand.
"We've never had this type of event before," he said. "We're going to prepare for the worst and hope for the best."
On the Net: Special Olympics USA National Games: http://www.2006nationalgames.org
Ames Chamber of Commerce: http://www.chamber.ames.ia.us/
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Dave wrote on Jun 30, 2006 7:11 PM: