By Paige Nash
Preparations are underway for the 2023 Archery Shooters Association (ASA) Championship Pro/Am Tournament to be held at Camp Minden, April 27-30.
“Workers are already working,” said Administrative Assistant for the Webster Parish Convention and Visitors Commission (WPCVC) Johnnye Kennon. “They have been working now for about three weeks. What they are doing is cutting the lanes. Some of the lanes have grown-up since last year, so they are cutting them back. They have to have over 400 lanes for the competitors.”
Last year’s competition marked the beginning of at least a 10-year contract for the ASA to be held at this location. According to last year’s ASA report, participants, spectators, sponsors and staff traveled from 41 states, plus Canada and Australia.
Solidification of this new contract was made possible by the WPCVC partnering with the Shreveport- Bossier Convention and Tourists Bureau. The two boards received immense amounts of support from Camp Minden, Caddo Commissioners, Bossier Parish Police Jury and Webster Police Jury.
“It was a joint effort in selling Minden as the location to host this event and it was successful. We are guaranteed ten years of hosting this event at Camp Minden. There is so much space out there. The only reason they would need to leave was if they outgrew the event,” said WPCVC Executive Director Serena Gray. “When their ten-year mark comes, they will be able to determine whether they need to move and if they don’t need to move because of space, they would like to stay as long as our partnerships stay as healthy and strong as they are right now. That is very good news for us.”
This year’s competition will kick off on Friday, April 28 with a crawfish boil reception followed by the preliminary shooting competition taking place at Camp Minden. On Saturday, they will hold the indoor competition at the Bossier Civic Center. Finals and the award ceremony are scheduled for Sunday at Camp Minden.
Area officials predict the event will generate around $25 million in economic impact over the period of ten years and bring in about 2,500 visitors per year. The local economy will benefit tremendously with visitors filling up campsites, hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts and Airbnbs, shopping and eating out.
“We have a commitment with the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission to provide lunches for the workers. This is a way that we can ensure that our local restaurants benefit from the event,” said Kennon. “I will be ordering their food every day and bringing it to them. As we purchase the lunches for these workers, we are reimbursed after the event is over. Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission reimburses us for all the expenses for the lunches.”
This year’s tournament is sponsored by Easton Hoyt Archery. Information on registration, lodging and a more detailed schedule of events can be found on the ASA website, www.asaarchery.com. Scores will be posted following the event.