Biathlon visitors welcomed with open arms, rooms

By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
    PRESQUE ISLE — There was no shortage of housing for athletes and visitors in town for last week’s E.ON IBU World Cup Biathlon competition, held Feb. 4-6 at the Nordic Heritage Center.
    Theresa Fowler, executive director of the Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce, was in charge of matching vacancies with potential occupants, with a long list of rooms available at both private residences and hotels and motels.
    “As the weekend approached, we still had some openings available. We still had some hotel rooms available,” said Fowler.
    Fowler said leading up to the competition, Chamber personnel were busy making a list of vacancies not just in Presque Isle, but in surrounding communities as well. A request had gone out seeking housing options, in the event hotels and motels were full and additional rooms were needed.
    “We received calls from a number of people who were willing to have guests and others who had accommodations available to rent,” said Fowler.
    Individuals and businesses listing vacancies for the weekend included sites in the following communities: Caribou, Connor, Mars Hill, Presque Isle, Littleton, Mapleton, Monticello, Stockholm, Castle Hill, Fort Fairfield, Crouseville and Woodland.
    Fowler said she was pleased with the number of openings and the public’s willingness to welcome strangers into their homes.
    “The housing we listed from private residents was for the general public,” said Fowler, noting athletes stayed at the local hotels and motels.