Bend businesses get welcome boost from PPP
The 2013 U.S. Bank Pole Pedal Paddle could be a record-breaker. Organizers said Monday that with 24 hours left to register, they could break 3,100 athletes competing Saturday.
The sponsoring Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation says about 55 percent of competitors come from around the state outside of Bend, and 10 percent come from out of state. Some competitors are on their way from Vermont, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Alaska, Georgia and Minnesota.
With so many people headed to Central Oregon, local businesses are seeing welcome dollar signs.
WebCyclery near the Old Mill has been taking ski rental orders for several months.
“I’ve even got a call from a guy in Alaska,” ski tech Bert Hinkley said Monday. “I think he may have been the first reservation, and that was in March.”
Hinkley says he will be watching the weather this week, waiting until the last possible moment to decide what kind of wax to go with.
With so many people expected in just about every pair of skis is rented out.
“If anybody needs a pair of 182 rental skis, we have one pair left,” Hinkley said
Down the street, at the Mill Inn, they’re booked for the weekend.
“Looking back into reservations, it’s been about two months since we’ve booked solid for the weekend,” said innkeeper David Bafford.
It’s the same across the city, with hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts full up.
“Nice accommodations downtown locations anything centrally located to the amphitheater and such fill up,” Bafford said.
The U.S. Bank Pole Pedal Paddle is a benefit for MBSEF programs and will be held Saturday. Watch for more special reports on the PPP all this week on NewsChannel 21 and KTVZ.COM.
