BEAVERCREEK — Large crowds lining up for the chance at big money have caught the attention of the Miami Valley, and now the Beavercreek Twp. fire marshal.
>>Jackpot over $1 million for final ‘Queen of Hearts’ drawing at Beavercreek bowling alley
The next, and final, Queen of Hearts drawing July 10 at the Beaver-Vu bowling alley will see someone win a jackpot over $1 million. But the crowds that have been gathering in the previous drawings have led to occupancy complaints to the Beavercreek Twp. fire department.
Pictures sent to News Center 7 by people inside the bowling alley show large crowds inside. The crowds have since led to complaints of overcrowding filed with the township’s fire marshal.
“We didn’t get notification of overcrowding until literally the last drawing on Monday when we got some phone calls that there was some suspected overcrowding,” Randall Grogean, Beavercreek Twp. Fire Department Fire Marshal told News Center 7′s John Bedell.
Those complaints led to meetings with managers at the bowling alley this week on how they can keep the number of people inside below the maximum occupancy limit, he said.
“We’ve gotten with them, consulted with them, indicated that we did have some complaints about it, tried to work with them on revising some different ways to manage the crowds. And we’re primarily concerned about the crowds inside the building and access to the building and everything like that. So we’re working with them. They’ve got a plan together to address those issues that we have,” Grogean said.
“It’s not that we don’t want the contest to go through, but just everyone has to be safe. There’s there’s no issues with any fire safety or anything like that.”
The general manager at the bowling alley declined an interview with News Center 7 Thursday. However, a bowling alley spokesperson issued a statement encouraging those who want to participate to buy tickets early.
“For safety concerns of everyone, our customers and staff, we will be monitoring and limiting if necessary the number of people in the building,” Doug Wilson of Beaver-Vu Bowl said in the statement. “Ticket sales will continue as usual until 7:40 p.m. and all tickets must be turned in by 7:50 p.m. that night. We encourage everyone who wishes to participate in this raffle to purchase any tickets early.”
“We will continue to work with local police and fire departments in providing a safe and positive experience for everyone,” Wilson said.
Read the full statement from Beaver-Vu Bowl below:
“I would like to clarify some of the concerns and rumors surrounding the Queen of Hearts drawing here at Beaver-Vu Bowl. First, I want to thank the community for their continued support of Beaver-Vu Bowl. The Queen of Hearts drawing for this particular board started July 19, 2022. Weekly we have turned over a card looking for the Queen of Hearts and we are currently at an unprecedented week 50 with 5 cards remaining and an unbelievable jackpot of $1,034,737.
Beaver-Vu Bowl will be closed July 3rd and 4th to prepare for the final draw on this board.
July 10, 2023 drawing of the Queen of Hearts will be a final draw date for this board (#6). For safety concerns of everyone, our customers and staff, we will be monitoring and limiting if necessary the number of people within the building. Ticket sales will continue as usual until 7:40pm and all tickets must be turned in by 7:50pm that night. Tickets are on sale now in Beaver-Vu Bowl’s Lanes Lounge during open hours. We encourage everyone who wishes to participate in this raffle to purchase any tickets early.
We will continue to work with local police and fire departments in providing a safe and positive experience for everyone.” Doug Wilson Beaver-Vu Bowl
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