Thousands of visitors are headed to Stevens Point for the U.S. Senior Open. Here’s what residents need to know.
STEVENS POINT – With tens of thousands of visitors and golfers expected to descend upon Stevens Point as SentryWorld hosts the U.S. Senior Open June 29 through July 2, what should Stevens Point residents expect leading up to the tournament?
Between larger crowds at restaurants, stores and hotels to more traffic, road closures and detours, residents will be impacted whether they plan to attend the event or not.
The Stevens Point Journal put together a list of what residents should know in advance of the U.S. Senior Open.
Expect bigger crowds and longer wait times
With 50,000 to 75,0000 people expected to visit the area for the four-day event, they’ll be looking for places to eat, shop and spend their extra time. Mayor Mike Wiza said residents should expect more people visiting service-oriented businesses, and there may be longer wait times.
If you spend your time on trails or in parks, museums or other attractions, you may see and interact with more people there, as well.
Wiza said he expects more crowded grocery stores, especially as more people are renting homes in the area and would be preparing meals there. While more people will be buying more supplies in general, Wiza said there will be no reason to stock up on any products.
Plan more time for travel and expect detours
While the entire central Wisconsin area will likely see more traffic during the four-day event, Wiza said the main roads in Stevens Point will be impacted the most, including Business 51, Main Street, Clark Street, Michigan Avenue and Interstate 39.
Travelers should plan more time for driving through Stevens Point, Wiza said.
The Stevens Point Police Department also shared a list of roads that will be closed from June 26 through July 2.
North Point Drive will be closed between Division Street and Wilshire Boulevard North.
Michigan Avenue North will be closed between North Point Drive and Eagle Summit.
Michigan Avenue North will also be closed between North Point Drive and Maria Drive.
Maria Drive will be closed between Illinois Avenue and Michigan Avenue.
City lifts parking restrictions, but avoid spectator-only lots
The Stevens Point Police Department also shared that the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Parking Lot Q will be designated parking for U.S. Senior Open spectators, and the lot will be monitored by a parking vendor.
Wiza said Stevens Point Area Senior High will also have spectators parking in its lot.
Although some parking spaces will be reserved for the event, the city will lift parking restrictions from June 26 through July 5.
According to a city release, parking restrictions will be lifted for overnight on-street parking and non-permitted city lots starting at midnight June 26 and extending through 6 a.m. July 5. The restrictions were lifted in consideration for both the U.S. Senior Open and the Independence Day holiday and celebrations.
Anyone can park in legal parking spots on streets and non-permitted city lots overnight. Normal parking restrictions resume at 6 a.m. July 5.
Patience will be key 'as event unfolds'
Most visitors will be flocking to SentryWorld and spending a lot of their time on the golf course, but hosting the event extends throughout the community.
Wiza said patience will be valuable throughout the long weekend.
“We’re hosting several thousand people for the event, and we want to try and make their stay as enjoyable as possible,” Wiza said. “We’re a very friendly and helpful community and I hope we all keep that in mind as the event unfolds.”
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Contact Caitlin at cshuda@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @CaitlinShuda.
This article originally appeared on Stevens Point Journal: U.S. Senior Open at SentryWorld: Stevens Point residents need to know
