By J.D. Eddy, Editorial Editor
Last week, I discussed how small town are dying because of their leaders’ refusal to expand. They lack activities for people who live in town and tourists.
An idea that I had while writing was bringing a small racetrack to Alva.
This can increase tourism while increasing Alva’s appeal to new students and potential homeowners.
Several Oklahoma towns have race or rally tracks, including: the Lawton Speedway, Thunder Valley Raceway in Lexington, the Enid Speedway and Hallet Motor Racing Circuit in Jennings.
Thunder Valley has one or more events each weekend from March 5 to Nov. 12. Having something like this helps to bring more people to the town and gives businesses like motels, grocery stores and gas stations an increase in revenue.
These tracks pay taxes to the town and county governments as well.
These tracks spend money in the communities they serve by buying supplies, like gas. The owners have to have accounting, banking and insurance services for the track, which they’ll find in their communities.
This means that a bank, accounting service and local insurance agency in Alva could receive more business, increase revenue and cater to new residents.
That said, having the racetrack does not just benefit the community. It will benefit the college by having this new attraction, which may help increase enrollment. Alva High School students would benefit by having new activities for students to watch and participate in. Having a racetrack would have positive aspects for everyone. Things like this do not always work, but take the Alva car show, for example.
Most of the town is in attendance for the car show, and so individuals from other parts of the Midwest.
Food trucks and competitions give away free stuff like shirts. A drag race event takes place the day after the vehicles cruise the boulevard, and the cars line up for people to look at or buy throughout the weekend.
I attend community events, and so do other students. Have a race track would give Alva something to do on the weekends other than attend football games or drive to The Bull.
On Facebook, Alva’s Rants and Raves and Gossip page has individuals who agree with me. Users on Facebook list some of the same benefits that this racetrack could bring to Alva. If you do not believe me, check for yourself.
The race track would have beneficial or detrimental aspects that I have overlooked. I believe the positives outweigh the negatives in this case, however. It can bring more business to Alva than anything, considering the love that the car show receives. It makes sense that having a small racetrack in town could produce the same feeling.
If you think there is anything I missed, or if you want to voice your own opinion on this topic, please write a letter to the editor. I would love to hear what you think about this for Alva.