Tourism wheels are turning

The wheels are turning – literally – for a potential new identity for Cheney. Let's make that the entire West Plains for that matter.

Lakes, fishing and similar recreational pursuits are what much of the West Plains have hung their hats on over the years. They've kind of been the area's recreational identity. On the business side, Cheney still strongly identifies with Eastern Washington University; Medical Lake with various state facilities and Fairchild Air Force Base with Airway Heights.

The Cheney Free Press editorial board sees the Cheney Rodeo, Founders Day in Medical Lake and Airway Heights' City Festival as events whose respective communities tend to rally around, but maybe not to the extent that maybe they should.

So it brings us to remind people of the new wind that's blowing across the plains, one that has brought – and will bring – us big events that don't necessarily rely totally on community support to be a success.

These are events that attract people from outside the area and have included the recently completed National Hot Rod Association divisional races at the Spokane County Raceway. There's also what is being called a very successful Mayfest in Cheney too. Upcoming are this week's Washington State Masters Criterium Championships races in Cheney and the Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival in Medical Lake, Aug. 7 - 9. Each will rely on support from both local residents, and those who visit from far away to be a success.

With the help of a grant, Mayfest may have broken a new trail on how local events develop a larger scope of interest outside the region. That organization went out and promoted the event across the region. And that's what will make other similar events a success too – letting people outside the communities know about them and encourage them to visit the various communities that make up the West Plains.

We found in a brief but impromptu straw poll of people at Mayfest that they came from Spokane, Deer Park and other areas. This is not to say that Cheney folks did not turn out because they did. There was just a notable presence from outside.

The drag races at the newly remodeled raceway mirrored that trend. A scan of the overflowing pit area revealed license plates of many colors – some from as far east as Saskatchewan and south well into California – for the 300 plus race teams that attended this first-ever event.

Now is the time for Cheney to put its best foot forward when it hosts the criterium. Some 200 riders and their entourages of family, fans and support people will hopefully have a memorable time here and leave with a positive experience. With the help of the Spokane Regional Sports Commission, which has worked with the community to promote the event, there is a sense that this could be the start of bigger and better things to come for Cheney in the cycling world.

This then makes Cheney, and the West Plains, more of a travel destination in the future. Tourism has totally transformed how people view cities like Coeur d'Alene and Walla Walla, for years known for lumber mills and home to a prison. Now they're world-wide destinations for great golf and fine wine.

It's now time for people to see Cheney and the West Plains for more than their traditional identities. The wheels appear to be turning in that direction so jump on board and help steer. These events can always use more help.