Out of line

One can sympathize with the predicament the Fort Frances Curling Club is facing these days, shouldered with the highest dues in the district, a hefty mortgage, and a property tax bill close to $30,000 this year.
One also certainly appreciates and respects the storied history the club has enjoyed in Fort Frances over the years, as well as the fact it also is used by local elementary and high school students, seniors, and Special Olympians. Nor is there any question that various bonspiels staged there during the winter months bring people—and their wallets—to town.
Asking the town for a 100-percent rebate on its property taxes, however, is out of line.
As the curling club executive well knows, 2004 hasn’t been a banner year for Fort Frances residents, who now are shelling out more in property taxes, user fees, sewer and water rates, as well as for the luxury of having their garbage picked up once a week.
Furthermore, since 2001, the club—like other non-profit groups in town such as the Fort Frances Visserettes and Sunset Country Snowmobile Club—has been eligible for up to a 40 percent rebate on its property taxes.
No doubt a “business” like Plaza Lanes would relish a potential 40 percent rebate on its property taxes, which, by the way, also is used by local elementary and high school students, seniors, and Special Olympians—not to mention the various tournaments held there during the winter bring people (and their wallets) to town.
Yet when Plaza Lanes was having financial difficulties a few years back, the town was the first one pounding on the door—threatening to take possession of the building.
The Fort Frances Curling Club is a valuable asset to the town, both in terms of offering recreation for local residents as well as being a first-class facility to help lure new ones to our area. But free property taxes is not the solution to its current woes and town council should nix that request.