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 Flin Flon Bombers have a new slogan to match a fresh approach as the organization strives to turn over a new leaf both on and off the ice. President Duke Rodnisky this week unveiled plans for a closer relationship between players and the community in accordance with the upcoming season's motto of "It Starts Now." "We want these guys to be more involved with the community," he told the Chamber of Commerce, "because it is a community-based team and without the undying support of this community, this team would not be here." Lee Deary, the club's new marketing director, said fans can expect a more pleasant atmosphere as they cheer on the Maroon and White. "We're going to make it a friendly, family environment when you come to the games," he told the chamber members gathered at the Friendship Centre. The men also announced a reinvigorated marketing strategy designed to provide greater input and value to team sponsors. "We want to know what did you like about your package last year and what you didn't like about your package," said Deary. What some fans may not have liked was the team's sporadic office hours. That matter, too, has been now been addressed. Effective immediately, the Bomber office, which shares the Trout Festival room at the Community Hall, is open weekdays from noon to 4 p.m. with Dawn Kardell in charge. People may stop by to pick up season tickets, tickets for fundraising draws and game schedules. Sponsorship information is available as well. On the ice, Rodnisky is encouraged by the fact that 14 players from last season have committed to returning to the Bomber dressing room this September. "A couple of those guys had been offered school packages in other areas, but they've decided that they liked what they had at the end of the year," he said. "This group of guys coming back, they're very, very enthusiastic. I feel that they have the makings of a very strong-knit group. Anybody who's ever played knows that if you're not a team, it's just not going to work, and these guys feel that they are going to be a great team together." To potentially make the on-ice product even greater, Deary noted the club will refurbish its Web site and make regular updates to help attract talent to the community. "If we're looking at recruiting players across Canada, the first thing they're going to look at is our Web site," he said. With all the changes taking place, the organization is not forgetting its rich past, which stretches back nearly eight decades. The game programs this season, for instance, will feature a profile of Bomber great from years gone by. "We've got so much history here. Let's take advantage of that," said Deary. The closer relationship with the community the men spoke of goes beyond Flin Flon. Rodnisky mentioned that at the recent SJHL annual general meeting, there was a greater sense of cooperation among the league's dozen members. "Rather than individual teams looking to better themselves, there's a great deal of information sharing," he said. "Everybody has sent in their information Ð their prices, their costs, everything. Now we're looking at different areas Ð why did this cost this team this much and why did it cost that team that much." As for season tickets, the Bombers have hit about the 250 mark, not including those being purchased through payroll deductions. See 'Fans' P.# Con't from P.# The team is shooting for two benchmarks in that department. If they sell 1,000 tickets, two lucky fans will win theirs free. And if 1,200 are sold, someone will win a free air conditioning system complete with installation (an estimated value of $6,500). Fans are reminded that June 30 is the deadline to reach those ticket goals. That's also the last day for 2004-05 season ticket holders to reclaim their seats. If they do not come forth by then, their spots will be available on a first come, first serve basis. For more information on season tickets or Bomber events, phone the office at 687-4404.
