Posted: Nov 8, 2021, 2:30 PM
Officials from Bossier and Webster parishes, along with representatives of local and state government, emphasized teamwork during a Friday news conference welcoming the McKenzie Archery Shooters Association Easton/Hoyt Pro/Am Tour to Camp Minden for a 10-year run.
“This is evidence of what can happen when different agencies work together as a team,” said Kelly Wells, Executive Director of the Shreveport Bossier Sports Commission.
Wells, along with members of police juries from Bossier and Webster parishes, mayors of Bossier City and Minden, the National Guard Commander of Camp Minden training site, representatives of tourism and convention agencies and a representative of Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser spoke of the archery tournament’s impact.
“People will see what north Louisiana has to offer,” said Mike Walsworth from the North Louisiana Outreach Office of the Louisiana Lt. Governor.
Speakers pointed to a 10-year commitment by the tournament organizers, along with an economic impact on the Webster, Bossier, Caddo area of up to three million dollars a year.
“And you know what? I really believe this event will create an economic impact that exceeds those numbers,” said Bossier Parish Police Jury member Bob Brotherton. “When people see the attraction that is Camp Minden, I believe other opportunities will follow.”
Brotherton, along with Wells and Webster Parish Police Jury member Nick Cox, visited an ASA tournament in Texas and returned with the idea that event would be ideal for north Louisiana, if a suitable location could be found. That’s when attention turned to Camp Minden.
Brotherton and Cox said the cooperation of many agencies, along with the efforts of Camp Minden Commander Lt. Col. Harry Wilson of the Louisiana National Guard and his staff, resulted in “…what we see here today, and hopefully what we will see more than ten years.”
“Frankly, I’ve been doing this for 25 years and this is very humbling,” said American Shooters Association President Mike Tyrell. “It was amazing to see the commitment of everybody to make this happen.”
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