The City of Rolla’s and the community’s historic ties with Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) were taken to another level on Thursday, Sept. 11 when Stage 4 of the Tour of Missouri finished near the front steps of Castleman Hall Performing Arts Center on 10th Street.
And what better venue might you imagine to showcase the assets and treasures of our community than when the entire world is watching the riveting finish of one of the most coveted professional cycling events in the country?
Never before, at least not to my knowledge, has our City received the type of national and international recognition and exposure as it did when 120 cyclists from 22 countries came roaring through Rolla at speeds most of us can only imagine on the back of a bicycle. How we measure the benefits and magnitude of this event, and the positive impact it has had and will continue to have on our community, will be something we will probably be discussing for months and years to come.
Being selected as a host city for the Tour of Missouri, along with the City of St. James was truly an honor, and one that every Rolla resident should take pride in. The number, variety and quality of events held on Sept. 11 in addition to the Tour of Missouri, was I believe, a testament to the amount of pride and patriotism our community demonstrated on September 11. And as I envision the final stretch of the Tour of Missouri as the cyclists near the historic Gateway Arch in St. Louis on Sept. 14, it seems like yesterday Lt. Governor Peter Kinder held a press conference in the Truman Hotel in Jefferson City announcing the host cities. The speed in which the last nine months flew by was mirrored by the speeds attained by the Tour of Missouri cyclists as they crossed the finish line at Castleman Hall.
Striving for an encore to something as big as the Tour of Missouri will be a tall order indeed, but Rolla is poised for many more positive milestones in the future. That said it is hard not to imagine the impact an event like the Tour of Missouri will have on so many aspects of our community.
I can only say how appreciative and grateful I am to the many individuals, businesses, organizations, volunteers and residents who helped make this event as successful and unforgettable is it was. From the members of the Local Organizing Committee who worked tirelessly for months leading up to the event, to the numerous sponsors/businesses who helped finance this event, to the hundreds of volunteers, Missouri S&T students, members of the Rolla High School Marching Bulldog Brigade, Rolla HS Cheerleaders, Veterans, law enforcement agencies, and of course Rolla residents who embraced and supported the Tour.
It would be a tall task in deed to specifically mention and thank every person, business, agency and organization who made the Tour the success it was, but I’ll do my best by saying THANK YOU to everyone for supporting the Tour and putting your best foot forward on a world-wide stage.
Our community has much to be thankful for and much to look forward to in the months and years to come. Let’s keep the momentum going. And don’t forget to cheer on the cyclists as they enter the final stage of the Tour Sept. 14 in St. Louis!
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