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.
Kelly Carrington Staff Writer The Flin Flon Bombers are looking to sell over 400 more season tickets to meet their 800-ticket goal by July 4. With 368 tickets sold as of Tuesday afternoon, the Bombers have their fingers crossed that many more tickets will be purchased. "We'd like to be as successful as the Winnipeg Jets," said Bombers Governor Dan Reagan, referring to the 17-minute sellout for the NHL team's season ticket drive. The Bombers have initiated a season ticket drive of their own, until July 4, to reach their goal. Budget Reaching that mark, Reagan says, will help the team make its budget. "We need $70,000 in revenue over and above what we have now," he said. With the sale of the season tickets, along with fundraising and walk-up sales, the organization should be able to meet the dollar mark needed. At the Bombers' annual general meeting held June 1, it was announced that the organization lost $23,000 last season Ð a number that would have been higher if it weren't for the game the Bombers hosted with a team from Sweden. Last year, the Bombers sold less than 500 season tickets for the year. As an incentive to fans to reach this year's 800-ticket goal, the Bomber organization will remove the dates on the tickets if they are successful. Currently, one ticket can be used per game, per person, as they are dated. If the dates are removed, season ticket holders would essentially be buying 29 individual tickets to be used as they see fit. They could attend every game or use some tickets to bring friends to certain match-ups. Theoretically, a buyer could bring 20, or more, people to a single game. The Bombers have sold dated tickets for the past two seasons. 'Good support' Reagan says he is hoping to see "good support" from the community. "...we need people to come out and support [the Bombers]," he said. "We've done it before," he added, mentioning that the organization once had a 1,200-season-ticket drive. "We're just trying to work with the community and make them aware of the situation," said Reagan. If the goal of 800 tickets is not met, the Bombers will have to examine prices next year for the cost of tickets next season. "We'll have to cover that when we see what our numbers are at the end of the year," said newly named team president Henry Kosar. The $70,000 the Bombers need to raise to make their budget includes not only season tickets, but fundraising, sponsorship and walk-up ticket sales as well. "We need to increase those areas by $70,000 to meet our budget," said Reagan. 'In trouble' Looking back at last year's season ticket sales of under 500, Reagan said the team would "be in trouble" if they get the same revenue this year. The Bombers have extended their early bird deadline to July 4, giving the public a chance to purchase tickets throughout the Trout Festival. Season tickets will still be available after July 4, though at a higher price. To help meet their $70,000 goal, the Bombers are getting a boat raffle underway. "It's a major fundraiser [and] we hope to bring in a fair amount of cash," said Reagan. Those looking to purchase season tickets may contact the Bomber office at 687-4414.
