The Flin Flon Bombers have picked up an assist from taxpayers.
City council voted last week to sponsor the team to the tune of $7,500, in the form of reduced ice rental fees, this coming season.
That’s a 50 per cent increase over the $5,000 sponsorship package council signed onto in 2013-14.
Unlike some previous years, there was no debate amongst councillors over the vote, which carried unanimously, though councillors Karen MacKinnon and Skip Martin were absent.
The city has now sponsored the Bombers with a combined total of $65,700 over the last 10 seasons, dating back to 2005-06. In each season, the sponsorship came in the form of lower ice fees.
The question of whether tax dollars should support sports teams is one that has sparked debate in cities across North America and beyond.
Some taxpayers see other burning needs and point out that not everyone is a sports fan. Others stress the perceived economic benefits and sense of civic pride that sports teams foster.
The City of Flin Flon will receive sponsorship recognition from the Bombers, who open the 2014-15 regular season at home against the Nipawin Hawks on Sept. 19.
The Bombers finished third in the Sherwood Division last season before losing in the wild card series of the playoffs.
Also last week, city council voted to provide an $800 in-kind donation to Flin Flon Minor Hockey for the coming season.
