Tournament organizers detail parking strategy
WHARTON TWP. – Spectators heading to Mystic Rock to watch the 84 Lumber Classic of Pennsylvania event at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa should be ready to spend some time sitting in traffic. However, resort officials contend that while some delays are inevitable, traffic should flow smoothly if motorists follow proper procedures.
Resort officials also add that motorists should have a much easier time getting around than the 1995 pro-am, which featured Tiger Woods. Then traffic was a nightmare with motorists backed up for miles in all directions. Approximately 20,000 people attended the two-day event.
Somewhere between 75,000 and 85,000 people are expected for this weeklong tournament, which will run from Sept. 15-21, but officials say that much more planning has gone into this event.
Ron Cadrette, general manager of Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa, said SFX Sports Management, which is running the tournament, got together with PennDOT, state police, Wharton Township police and the Fayette County Sheriff’s office to come up with a comprehensive traffic plan.
SFX representative Rico Tesio, operations and sales manager for the 84 Lumber Classic, said in 1995, it was a “shotgun start,” in which all the golfers started and finished at the same time. For this event, players will start and finish at different times. He said that should make a difference in the traffic with not everyone coming and leaving at the same time.
“We analyzed the four different directions from which spectators could come: east or west on Route 40 and north or south on Route 381,” Cadrette said. “From that we determined that the worst case scenario is if Tiger Woods shows up and we need to park 7,000 cars in one day.”
With that scenario in mind, Cadrette said enough parking has been secured for 15,000 cars. Although Nemacolin Woodlands is the host site, the parking and traffic control will be managed by SFX, Cadrette said. With an estimate of two people per car, Tesio said there will be parking for 30,000 people.
“We have more parking than what we think we will need,” he said.
As a way to secure parking for thousands of vehicles, Cadrette said they identified and negotiated with landowners in the four quadrants. He said they also did traffic studies to determine what percentage of vehicles is anticipated to come from each direction.
There will be limited on-site parking for players, volunteers and sponsors. General parking will be available in the four quadrants in a one- to five -mile radius of the site. Lots open at 6:30 a.m.
Cadrette said there will be signs on the major roadways directing traffic to the parking areas. He said traffic will be heavier on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Tesio declined to give the specific location of the lots, noting that people may know of a closer lot and try to park there instead of where they are being directed. However, he said the shuttle buses will only be running to the lots that are being filled, so spectators must park where they are directed. Motorists not following directions will cause traffic tieups for themselves and others, he added.
Tesio said the tournament has contracted with Laidlaw Transit Inc. to provide shuttle buses from the lots to the entrance gate. He said in the event that buses become overloaded or stuck in traffic, there will be reinforcements available.
After paying a daily $5 parking fee, patrons will board shuttle buses to the event. The shuttle buses will run every 15 to 20 minutes, from two hours before the tournament starts to two hours after it ends, during both the competition and practice rounds. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or people can buy them in advance by calling 1-800-422-2736 or through the Internet at 84tickets.com
Cadrette said estimates are that there will be approximately 75,000 people visiting the site throughout the week, but said that figure could go up to as many as 85,000 visitors. Cadrette said since the tournament is toward the end of the year many professional golfers may wait and see how they stand on the money list before committing to the event. Different golfers like Woods draw bigger crowds.
Jeff Kmiec, director of sales and marketing for Nemacolin Woodlands, said the resort is hoping to attract golfers with families since everything is contained on the site.
Cadrette said the resort has worked with PennDOT to increase the number of lanes going up the mountain if needed. He said local EMT and fire personnel have also been actively involved during the planning process.
During the week of the tournament, Smith School Road, Hawes Road, I-84 and Henning Road will be closed, except for local traffic. Tesio said residents of those roads will receive a special badge to provide them access to their homes.
He added that there will be no parking, stopping or walking on Route 40 between Route 381 and Dinner Bell Road and any violators will be towed or taken away by the police.
He said people will not be able to walk up to the entrance from Route 40. He said everyone must arrive by a shuttle, even those who live near the golf course. Tesio said that while landowners may be tempted to rent space for parking, unless people are parking in the lots and riding up on a shuttle bus, they will not be able to gain access to the tournament.
Tesio said the restrictions are necessary for security, noting that’s “our number one issue.’
“We’ve been involved with planning for over a year and have consulted a variety of experts. I feel the best laid plans have been put into place,” Cadrette said.