A tournament kicking off this weekend is expected to bring a $3-$4 million economic boost to Austin before it wraps up May 3.

The MN State USBC (United States Bowling Congress) Open Championship began Saturday afternoon at Echo Lanes.

About 4,000 bowlers throughout the tournament — around 500 people each weekend — will fill hotels in Austin each weekend, said Merry Peterson, general manager at the bowling alley.

“The nice thing about it is, I was thinking it would be down this year (the tournament), but it’s really not down,” Peterson said.

Echo Lanes had to put in a bid for the tournament two years ago, and although they were excited to win, at the time, they did not know the economy would be in a slump.

“This is such a huge thing for Austin because this is a time of the year when hotels are usually quieter during the winter months,” said Cheryl Corey, executive director of the Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for us,” she said. “They have to have lodging, they have to eat, they have to get gas, they may see a show, do some shopping. It’s not just the bowlers — they come with families and friends.”

Corey said the CVB has been packing welcome bags for bowlers and their families and sending out mailings containing information about attractions and hotels.

An opening ceremony was scheduled for Saturday with music by the Northwestern Singers and appearances by “celebrity bowlers” Mayor Tom Stiehm and Dwayne Osterhout, general manager of the Holiday Inn and Days Inn.

The Open Championship, which at one time was a men-only tournament, is a non-qualifying singles and doubles event for sanctioned bowlers. Peterson said it costs about $80 per person, and includes many prizes. All 36 lanes will be full for the 14 weekends.

“They come Saturday morning and leave Sunday afternoon, or stay Sunday if bad weather comes,” Peterson said. Some may also come Friday nights.

Peterson said Austin hosted a previous USBC Championship in 2002.