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.
The less is more theory hasn't been completely tossed out the window when it comes to buying Bomber season tickets. This was used to benefit the Flin Flon Bombers organization in attracting fans. To an extent it worked because the Bombers have had the highest attendance in the SJHL for six years running with weak teams. However, it never amounted to the Whitney Forum being filled to capacity. One possible reason is because of population size, but the main reason is because people didn't want to pay to watch mediocre teams. There is an urban legend among Vancouver Canucks fans that someone left season tickets on their windshield during the tough years hoping someone would snag them. Upon returning, there was an extra set of season tickets. Since the Bombers hired Doug Stokes, the future is better and with the work he has done, the Bombers will have a far better team. Stokes has a reputation for turning teams around. You don't earn 550-plus wins by fluke. During the annual general meeting on April 26, the organization stated that because of rising costs, they have no choice but to raise ticket prices. The organization has projected a budget with expenses totaling $401,500. Anyone can look at that and say that it's too high, or state that money is being misspent in certain areas. Here's a breakdown of the prices. Last season, seniors paid $100 to watch 26 games, which averages out to $3.85 per game. Kids (cough cough... their parents) paid the same amount. Students and adults paid $135, which averages to $5.19 per game. If people purchase their season tickets prior to July 1, the rate for seniors is $140 for 26 games (excluding the two extra home games for this comparison), which averages $5.38. That means this group is paying an extra 19 cents. The same goes for students. For adults, it averages out to $7.12 for 26 games and $1.93 more. The cost for kids at $112 is $4.31 per game Ð 46 cents extra. Here's something to think about. If the onÐice product is better, is it wrong to pay a touch more? The previous prices were great. Hell, in my hometown of Castlegar, people pay $7 a ticket to watch the Junior B Rebels. Unless there is a change in labour laws permitting kids aged six to 12 to work, parents might consider having their kids do chores if they don't already. I remember when I bowled in the Youth Bowling Council, my parents made me collect recyclables to earn my way to play. I can tell you this: I didn't like it much, but I know they were just teaching me the value of money and how hard you have to work for it. It's likely the oldest saying, but money doesn't grow on trees, except for the paper it's printed on. When it comes to anything, you hate to have to ante up. Early signs are showing that fans are willing to still support the team. Bombers president Duke Rodnisky said the organization has sold 212 season tickets since the Leisure Show which was three days. Considering they sold 867 last year, including corporate sponsors, that's pretty good. This community is known for supporting the Bombers, and I would never be crazy enough to say they don't back the organization, at least not to someone's face. I may as well pack my truck and head back to B.C., but I would like to see this community stick with their team through the increase. Without knowing what the 2006/07 roster will be, I believe the Bombers will be one of the dominant teams in the league. That is worth paying to watch.
