Friday, July 22, 2011

5,000 expected in Carrollton for state swim meet

by Corey Cusick/Times-Georgian

Beth Upchurch and her family have attended the Georgia Recreation and Park Association State Swim Meet each of the first two years it was held in Carrollton, and she made certain to keep this weekend clear on her calendar for a third consecutive visit.

“Well, we look forward to it every year. It’s just been a real fun experience. We actually have family that used to live in Carrollton, so we’d always come and see them. But even though now we don’t have any family here, it’s still a lot of fun because we’re so familiar with it now,” said Upchurch, whose daughter, Katie Grace, 9, swims for the Athens Dolphins.

The Upchurch clan is just one of several swim families who will spend the weekend in Carrollton for the two-day meet, which begins this morning at Lakeshore Natatorium. With 1,200 swimmers on hand, an estimated 5,000 people are expected to be in the community over the next few days, flooding local hotels and restaurants.

Last year the meet had an economic impact of $1.13 million, according to Jonathan Dorsey, executive director of the Carrollton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau — and he expects it to be in that ballpark again this year.

Read more:Times-Georgian - 5 000 expected in Carrollton for state swim meet

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