International Bowling Campus Venture Progresses

USBC RECEIVES $693,000 AWARD FROM STATE OF TEXAS FOR RELOCATION TO ARLINGTON

GREENDALE, Wis. -- The United States Bowling Congress is the recipient of a $693,000 award from the Texas Enterprise Fund, clearing the way for the organization to move its headquarters to Arlington, Texas. The announcement, issued by the offices of Texas Gov. Rick Perry, makes possible the creation of an International Bowling Campus in Arlington that will also include the offices of the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America.

In addition to office space for about 200 employees, the new $14 million complex will include a 12-to-16 lane combined equipment testing and international training center. BPAA has pledged to pay for half of the complex while utilizing less than one-fifth of the space.

The property is located at 621 Six Flags Drive, across the street from Six Flags Over Texas in the heart of Arlington's entertainment and sports district. It is about three blocks east of Rangers’ Ballpark in Arlington, home of the Texas Rangers baseball team, and about six blocks east of the new Dallas Cowboys stadium set to open in 2009. Also located in the area is Glorypark, a planned mixed-use development featuring 900,000 square feet of retail, dining and entertainment space. The creation of the International Bowling Campus at such a high profile location will provide the opportunity to showcase bowling to the world that doesn't exist at USBC’s present location.

“The Texas Enterprise Fund award was a critical factor in our decision to relocate USBC’s headquarters to Arlington,” said USBC Chief Operating Officer Kevin Dornberger. “Relocating our headquarters to Arlington will provide a business climate that will be invaluable in helping us achieve our future goals for the sport.”

The move will also enable USBC and BPAA to integrate operations for the betterment of the sport including the growth and protection of competitive bowling.

The Texas state legislature created the TEF in 2003 and re-appropriated funding in 2005 and 2007 to help ensure the growth of Texas businesses and create more jobs throughout the state.

“Companies throughout the country are looking to Texas as the place to grow their business thanks to a reasonable regulatory environment, educated workforce, and economic incentives that bolster Texas’ capital and competition in a global marketplace,” said Gov. Perry. “As a result of tools like the TEF, Texas continues to diversify our economic portfolio by attracting businesses like the U.S. Bowling Congress, fortifying our standing as the national leader in economic development and job creation.”

In addition to USBC and BPAA, the bowling campus will include The Bowling Foundation, Strike Ten Entertainment, International Bowling Pro Shops & Instructors Association, The Bowling Center Management School and the Billiard & Bowling Institute of America, which are currently located at BPAA’s headquarters.

United States Bowling Congress The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to approximately 2.5 million adult and youth members and enhanc es the bowling experience.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The United States Bowling Congress Board of Directors gave approval to announce its intention to relocate the organization's headquarters to Arlington, Texas, where it will reside with the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America.

The decision, made during a meeting Sunday, March 9, 2008 in Atlanta, came after presentations were made by officials from Arlington and Milwaukee, the homes of the BPAA and USBC, respectively.

"This is a great day for bowling. Relocating to Arlington would allow for the creation of an international bowling campus. We can set the foundation for tremendous growth and opportunities for decades to come,” said USBC President Jeff Bojé. “Both cities made excellent presentations and either would have been good locations for USBC. The Board decided Arlington would be the best location should the USBC receive approval of investment from the Texas Enterprise Fund."

Contingent upon TEF approval, USBC Headquarters is expected to move to Arlington later this year. In addition to office space for about 200 overall employees, the new complex will include a 12-to-16-lane combined equipment testing and international training center to form a $14 million international bowling campus. BPAA has pledged to pay for half of the complex while utilizing less than one-fifth of the space.

The property is located at 621 Six Flags Drive, across the street from Six Flags Over Texas in the heart of Arlington's entertainment and sports district. It is about three blocks east of Rangers’ Ballpark in Arlington, home of the Texas Rangers baseball team, and about six blocks east of the new Dallas Cowboys stadium set to open in 2009. The creation of an international bowling campus at such a high profile location will provide the opportunity to showcase bowling to the world that doesn't exist at the present location.

“Integration of operations can be achieved without the loss of identity or control of the individual organizations," said BPAA President Joe Schumacker. "By working in tandem with USBC, we can fulfill our individual missions, as well as protect and grow all levels of competitive bowling.

“The concept of integrating the operation of the BPAA and the USBC makes sense. Bowling has changed dramatically over the past 25 years. It is imperative the organizations embrace change so they can continue to professionally support their individual constituencies.”

The new joint venture is expected to help grow the sport by USBC and BPAA by being more able to work together on joint programs such as youth bowling and coaching. Youth bowling and coaching have been major points of emphasis for the organizations.

An additional factor for the Board's decision was ease of travel. As one of the world's largest airports, Dallas/Fort Worth International makes it much easier for those traveling to and from the international bowling campus, especially those traveling internationally.

USBC and BPAA announced in November that their boards of directors had approved a study of how much their operations should be integrated. The goal was to use such efficiencies to help grow the sport of bowling. The organizations' boards of directors gave approval in January to start negotiations with all parties involved to relocate the organization's headquarters to Texas.

United States Bowling Congress

The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body, ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides programs and services to more than 2.6 million adult and youth members and enhances the bowling experience.

Bowling Proprietors Association of America