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Watch VideoSenior Open parking is not at the Broadmoor
Story By: Rachel Hoffenberg
Source: KOAA
General public parking for the 2008 U.S. Senior Open is not at the Broadmoor hotel. It will be in a lot located on South Academy Boulevard and Drennan Road. Attendees will then be shuttled to the hotel.
If you are one of the 150,000 people expected at the Broadmoor during the week of the U.S. Senior Open, you won’t be parking at the hotel. It cannot accommodate that many parking spots.
If you've driven through the Broadmoor area lately, you've probably seen signs that say "Senior Open parking." Those are for corporate sponsors, media, and players. The general public’s parking lot isn’t anywhere close.
Douglas Habgood, the Championship Director from the 2008 U.S. Senior Open, says "Our parking lot is located at SouthAcademy and Drennan. It isn't a parking lot. It's actually a field. But if you park in there, buses will be waiting. And you'll be on your way to the Senior Open."
The field can hold up to 12,000 cars. More than 100 buses are under contract from Douglas County Schools to shuttle people from the lot to the Broadmoor for free. Local school districts had liability issues and were not able to provide busses.
Street parking will not be allowed in the neighborhood surrounding the Broadmoor. Those who violate can be ticketed or towed. There are some places to park close, but you'll have to pay.
Bryan Hartwig is holding a fundraiser for St. Paul’s Catholic Church in the parking lot of Pauline Memorial Catholic School. He says, "Our parking lot's the best parking in the city for this tournament. Because the outlet of our parking lot is only 100, 150 yards away from the entrance to the Senior Open." There are 350 parking spots available for $20 to $45 depending on the day. Colorado Springs School down the street will hold the same fundraiser.
For five dollars less a day, you can park in Ken Useman's lawn. He lives across from the hotel and says he's been cleared to park up to 20 cars a day. Useman could make up to 2,000 dollars. He says he plans to "Make a couple extra bucks. I won't be able to go to the tournament. But that's okay. I'll stay here and watch all the cars."
Much more information can be found about drop off areas, bicycle parking and shuttle times. There are also details about handicap parking, which will be at the the World Arena. Simply, click here.
