The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
City council is poised to re-ignite the debate over whether tax dollars should support sports teams. At their latest meeting, held earlier this month, council was asked to sponsor the Flin Flon Bombers for a ninth consecutive season. 'As we look forward to another exciting season of Bomber hockey we are well into preparations for the upcoming season,' wrote Karen Bettger, the SJHL team's office administrator, in a letter. 'Last season was one of our most successful years financially and your corporate sponsorship was an integral part of our success.' Saying the Bombers 'look forward to your support for the 2013-14 season,' Bettger included a sheet outlining the team's many corporate advertising opportunities. Council had no comment on the request, referring it to the Finance Committee for further discussion. The city has sponsored the Bombers with a combined total of $53,200 over the last eight seasons, dating back to 2005-06. The sponsorship has come not in the form of actual cash, but in discounted ice rental fees at the Whitney Forum. When council voted to sponsor the Bombers in 2012-13, they made a point of reducing the dollar amount from $7,500 to $6,000 _ a 20 per cent drop. At the time, Coun. Tim Babcock said council had spent 'a long time' talking about the sponsorship question. With council having vowed to reduce expenses where feasible, this year's debate could prove even more drawn-out. The question of whether tax dollars should support sports teams is one that has sparked debate in cities across North America. And it is generally quite divisive. 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. In the Flin Flon Council Chambers, it has been years since the issue has generated much controversy, at least in public, on whether this is an appropriate allotment of funds.
