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CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – If you are a triathlete, you probably know of the Ironbull races in and around Wausau. Ironbull hosts a series of high-endurance road races, swimming events, and cycling events in our area.
Earlier this month they received a $9,000 tourism grant from state. Good for them. This is exactly what our limited tourism dollars should be used for. Which events go to the head of the tourism grand line? Those groups that attract the most out-of-towners, who will fill up our hotels and restaurants. Each hotel stay puts more money into that community’s tourism fund.
The Ironbull Red Granite bike event, held in October, is a fine example. There are very few of these gravel bike events around the midwest. Someone who comes to Wausau for a 140-mile bike event is probably not here for a day trip. They’ll arrive a day or two early to acclimate themselves to the area. They may make a practice ride over the course. Maybe they’ll spend an extra day here to celebrate with the winners or to reconnect with friends from the ironman community. All of this is great for the local economy.
There are other similar events in our area, like competitions at Wausau’s whitewater course… the youth soccer tournament earlier this year… the Wausau Hmong Festival.
There are other groups and events that are much further down on the tourism-grant list. Wausau Community Theater seeks out tourism dollars each year. And I love the theater; I’m supportive of my friends and neighbors who provide entertainment to me. But the number of out-of-towners who drive to Wausau and spend the night for a community theater production is probably very, very small. The Monk Botanical Gardens also seeks tourism dollars for the garden lights production. It’s a neat event, but it attracts few or no out-of-town visitors who stay overnight.
My point is this: there are many fine community groups in our area. Support them. But tourism grants and tourism tax dollars are for events that bring visitors to our town. These are scarce dollars that must be used for what they’re intended for.
Chris Conley
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