Even before International Bowling Campus Youth Development announced the cancellation of the 2020 Junior Gold Championships Presented by Hammer on April 16, it had become apparent that the tournament would not be able to be conducted in Las Vegas this summer.
That’s because Governor Sisolak has been slower than most governors in formulating a reopening plan for the state, and likely will be imposing very strict guidelines for casinos — which will be among the last businesses allowed to reopen.
Every bowling center that had been earmarked to host some aspect of the 2020 Junior Gold tournament is housed inside a casino-resort.
Anticipated social-distancing guidelines would have cut the capacity at those centers in half, causing significant logistical challenges for tournament organizers.
Texas Station, one of the host venues of the 2020 Junior Gold Championships, will remain closed while other Stations Casinos properties reopen.
Adding to the dilemma is the fact that Texas Station, one of the host facilities, will not be reopening right away when its parent company, Station Casinos, begins bringing its properties back on line. Texas Star Lanes at Texas Station has 60 lanes, only 30 of which likely would have been available under Sisolak’s anticipated guidelines.
Add in the fact that America’s airlines have cancelled flights and trimmed capacity to a bare minimum, and many families would have been faced with making extremely long drives in order to get to the tournament.
Virtually all entertainment in Las Vegas has been cancelled through June, and it’s not yet known when it will begin to be rescheduled, as concert venues, arenas and other large gathering places also are facing new capacity limits.
The Orleans Arena, which was to have hosted the Junior Gold opening ceremonies and a PWBA finals telecast, is closed, and its parking lot is now being used for COVID-19 testing.
Just like everywhere else, it’s a whole new world in Las Vegas these days.
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