The Flin Flon Bombers’ impact on the community goes far beyond the ice surface of the Whitney Forum.
According to a third-party economic valuation report, the financial benefit of the Bombers – the total monies spent or generated in the Flin Flon area – is $878,172 for the year ended in 2015.
“The Bombers provide a huge economic boost to our community,” said Tom Therien, past-president of the Flin Flon and District Chamber of Commerce.
In addition, the economic value of the Bombers was measured at $1,290,385. The economic value takes into account the direct, indirect and subjective benefits of the club.
The Bombers’ direct economic benefit for 2015 was valued at $370,821. This measures the money spent by the team during its operating year.
“There is a lot of money spent by us in the community … even with us just paying our billets,” said Bombers head coach and general manager Mike Reagan.
The team pays the families that open their homes to players over the winter. The money they receive goes back into their community in groceries, gas and other purchases, Reagan emphasized.
Therien used to billet players himself and noted, “I know our food bill increased substantially when they are in town.”
Therien, a former Flin Flon mayor, pointed out that the Bombers own their own bus. Fuel for it is purchased locally at the start of trips and maintenance work is also done in Flin Flon.
And those are just a few examples of the club’s direct economic benefit.
The indirect benefit – calculated at $507,350 – takes into account the impact of spectator and visiting teams coming to Flin Flon.
Due to Flin Flon’s location of between 322 and 806 km from the other SJHL communities, visiting teams spend at least one night in a local hotel when they face the Bombers at the Whitney Forum, Reagan pointed out.
As a means of comparison, Reagan said the Bombers spend between $12,000 and $15,000 on food and hotels alone on the southern swings that can see them play four games in five nights.
Southern teams make similar trip up north. Visiting teams’ hotel and meal bills add up quickly.
The subjective benefit of the Bombers – the value of having the players and team in the community – was valued at $412,214 by the report, prepared by Saskatchewan-based JHT and Associates Consulting.
Reagan emphasized his players spend a lot of money in Flin Flon. He pointed to such items as gasoline purchases and routine Subway runs. Reagan estimated that combined, the players spend between $1,200 and $1,500 monthly at the sandwich restaurant.
SJHL president Bill Chow said an evaluation study was completed for all 12 of the league’s teams. The league has said the impact of its teams on their home communities and Saskatchewan approaches $12 million annually.
“As you can see, the Bombers make a significant contribution to the economy in Flin Flon and area,” Chow said, referencing the report.
While the Bombers’ financial impact can be measured in dollar figures, team governor Dan Reagan emphasized the social impact of having the young men board with families in
Flin Flon.
“Lifelong relationships are often a result of this experience,” Dan Reagan said. “It is not only the players, as parents often come to watch their sons play and they end up becoming friends with the host billet and the community. … As a result Flin Flon becomes well known throughout the province and country. Hockey is our identity.”
Mike Reagan said Bomber games provide a place for social gathering. He also spoke of the impression the players make through being positive role models and participating in mentorship programs with school-age kids.
“I think that has just as much impact on the community as the economic spinoff,” he said.
