Diving tournament sparks business boom

The winter season usually makes for low economic times for Iowa City restaurants and hotels.  But this past week's national diving tournament brought the city some much needed business.  200 athletes and their families shopped, ate, and stayed in the Iowa City area.  The more foot traffic on campus brought more dollars to area businesses

“January-February are kind of the quietest months,” said Micky's Irish Pub Head Chef Robert DeBlois.

But this year a new tournament is picking up sales.

The USA Diving Winter National Championships was the first major tourney in the U of I Campus Recreation and Wellness Center.

“It helps the community out downtown with all the restaurants and hotels and things,” said Aquatic Director Phil Julson.

So university area shops get ready.

“We have a few extra team members that we have ready to go,” said Brueggle's General Manager Matt Jones.

“You up staff on the weekend or when the events are going on,” said DeBlois.

“Just depending on the event and how many people it brings into town we're also affected,” said Jones.

One of the big ticket items for major events is bagels.

“We did a see a bump we have the volleyball tournament this week and we started the day with 25 dozen bagels,” said Jones.

That's more than a two hundred dollar order.  Sales are rolling in at Micky's Irish Pub, too.

“Hamburgers are great, soups are homemade,” said DeBlois.

Head Chef Robert DeBlois says they saw a definite impact from the diving tournament.  It's a welcomed sign when snowy, cold weather tend to keep people indoors.

“It is foot traffic it's people driving in we have already have a mix of families of students,” said DeBlois.

And they're all spending money.  Area hotels like Coralville's Marriott say they did have more guests booked this past week.  They especially saw an uptick in guests who stayed for more consecutive nights.