City Talk - Rolla's Town & Gown relationship shines during Tour of Missouri

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!

City Talk - Sprucing up for the Tour of Missouri

With one of the largest sporting events (Tour of Missouri) ever to be hosted in Rolla, and in the state, just days away, I would like to take this opportunity to ask everyone in the community, to not only attend the Stage 4 Finish in Rolla on Thursday, Sept. 11 and Stage 5 Start in St. James Sept. 12, but also to pitch in and help beautify our community for a world stage.

With more than 100 different countries watching the Tour of Missouri international cycling race (Sept. 8-14) via television and millions others viewing the official Tour of Missouri Website (www.tourofmissouri.com), the Rolla community will be spotlighted across the globe.

Many residents and businesses located in and around the official route for the Stage 4 Finish in Rolla have already spruced up their lawns, facades and businesses so that the many thousands of visitors who will be in Rolla on Sept. 11 will have not only a favorable, but a memorable impression of our great City. Like you have heard so often, first impressions are usually lasting ones, and what better time to project a clean, vibrant and positive image of our city than when thousands of visitors are here watching an international professional cycling event.

You may have already noticed, and I have mentioned in previous City Talk columns, that the City’s Public Works Department, together with Donnelson Construction, Inc. completed the micropaving of many of the streets that are part of the official Tour of Missouri route in Rolla. A detailed description of the Tour of Missouri route can be viewed on the City’s Website at www.rollacity.org (just click on the orange TOM tab at the top of the homepage). We hope these enhancements provide incentive for others in the Rolla community to take pride in their businesses, right-of-ways and lawns, so that our town shines like it has never shined before. There are only three international cycling events of this caliber in North America, and Rolla and St. James are truly fortunate to be part of this event.

And while the lion’s share of the planning and coordination for the events and activities leading up to the Tour of Missouri have been handled by the members of the Tour of Missouri Local Organizing Committee, and other agencies, businesses, organizations and numerous sponsors involved in this event, it will truly take a village – the entire Rolla community – to not only roll out the red carpet, and cheer on the 120 cyclists from 22 different countries, but to show the Show-Me-State and the rest of the world why Rolla continues to be one of the best towns to live, work and play in the United States. I think you will agree with me that this event is a great opportunity to not only see the best cyclists in the world compete in our own backyards, but also to make the racers and their support teams and staff feel like they are visiting one of the most unique towns in the country as well.

In closing, I’d like to also remind everyone to please not park on the any of the streets that are included in the Tour of Missouri route that will be going through Rolla on Sept. 11 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. In addition to door hangers, and windshield notices, there will be “No Parking” signs posted along the TOM route the evening of Sept. 10, but I would still like to spread the word to residents, business owners, visitors and other members of the community that we will need to keep the streets clear of vehicles prior to and during the race. Your cooperation concerning this important safety matter is greatly appreciated. The race will enter Rolla on Martin Springs Drive, continue on Blues Lake Parkway, Bridgeschool Road, Kingshighway, Fairgrounds Road, 10th Street, State Street, 8th Street, along Pine Street to 6th, Olive, Bardsley, 12th, Holloway, 10th and back to State Street for three figure 8 loops. The finish line will be on 10th Street in front of Castelman Hall Performing Arts Center.

While it is difficult to estimate the exact time the cyclists will be arriving in Rolla on Sept. 11, race officials predict they will be arriving sometime between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., depending on race speeds.

With the Labor Day weekend upon us, I’d also like to mention that The Centre, Rolla’s Health and Recreation Complex, located at 1200 North Holloway Street, will be closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday for The Centre’s annual preventative maintenance, and will reopen at its regular time on Tuesday morning. Since City Hall will be closed on Monday, Labor Day, Sept. 1, the Rolla City Council meeting usually held the first Monday of the Month will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Rolla City Hall.

This weekend will also be the final weekend SplashZone (Rolla’s outdoor water park), will be open this year. Closing day at SplashZone is Monday (Labor Day), Sept. 1 from 12-noon to 5 p.m. The popular Canine Plunge (end of the season swim for pets), where you may bring your dog to the SplashZone, will be held next Saturday, Sept. 6 from 12-noon to 3 p.m. Registration to this popular event is required, and there is a cost of $5 per dog. All dogs must be vaccinated, accompanied by their owners and be socialized. This event is limited to 30 canines.For more information please call SplashZone at (573) 364-8222.

Sincerely, William S. Jenks, III, Mayor