Up to residents

The board of directors of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship deserves high marks for its efforts to ensure the annual tournament is viable this year—and beyond.
Chairman Gord Watson and his crew have worked diligently to cut costs, retain sponsors and drum up new ones, and try to attract more local teams to the field.
Given the serious budget constraints, which forced the move from the Sorting Gap Marina to the Memorial Sports Centre last year, the bass tournament no longer is the major community festival it was during its heyday. But the reality is simple: the FFCBC needs to get back on solid financial footing first before it can begin to reclaim its glory days.
The big question right now is what role should the Town of Fort Frances—in other words, taxpayers—play in helping to keep the FFCBC afloat?
Council is correct in not waiving rental fees for the Memorial Sports Centre. Not only does it avoid setting a precedent that could cause problems down the road, the town has to collect revenue to cover the operating costs of our fine facilities.
Having said that, there’s no question the FFCBC generates a substantial economic impact for the town, as well as what amounts to free publicity for our community and all that beautiful Rainy Lake has to offer. It is, after all, the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship and, as such, the town should continue to be a sponsor.
It doesn’t fall on the town, however, to toss the tournament a lifeline year after year. Local businesses that most benefit from its existence certainly must be at the forefront, whether as sponsors or a source of volunteer help.
Ultimately, though, the future of the FFCBC is up to residents. The revenue needed for it to survive comes from people spending money at the weigh-ins and night-time entertainment, and supporting any fundraisers. And if the tournament is to move back to the Sorting Gap some day, volunteers are key for site set-up and tear down.
The task of the directors is to stage the best tournament possible. But that’s all for naught if the rest of us don’t support it.