Town council is taking a second look at whether it should implement a $20 launch fee during the annual bass fishing tournament here–and who would foot the bill if it was put in place.
In a plea to council Monday night, organizers of the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship asked it to look at all the facts before voting on the issue.
That includes the results of an economic impact study of the bass tournament, which the group plans to make public at the Feb. 9 council meeting.
“I would hope it would have an impact on the decision,” noted Doug Cain, fundraising chairman of the bass committee, who said they wouldn’t reveal what the study showed until that council meeting.
The Community Services executive committee recommended the fee be implemented to help the operator of the Sorting Gap Marina compensate for lost revenue during that week.
Local participants in the three-day derby who already paid the annual launch fee would be exempt from it.
The lease between the Sorting Gap and town currently states launch fees are to be waived for bass tournament participants.
But during last year’s tournament, Community Services manager George Bell noted all launching fees were waived for that week–and not just for visiting anglers.
That’s because people were questioning why visitors didn’t have to pay a launch fee but local ratepayers still were required to.
“The operator made the decision that week . . . just to forego all launch fees because it was a hardship,” Coun. Sharon Tibbs said.
But Mayor Glenn Witherspoon questioned if the town would be nickle-and-diming visiting anglers, and feared the fee would be seen as a deterrent for the event.
He also stressed the efforts of the volunteer bass committee had done much to promote tourism–and boost the local economy.
“It lessens the professionalism of what we’re trying to promote here,” he said.
Cain agreed, stressing the tournament gave publicity to both the town and Rainy Lake–something that was hard to attach a dollar figure to.
Meanwhile, if the town opts to implement the fee, Cain hoped there would be discussions as to who would foot the bill. Coun. Tibbs suggested if councillors felt strongly about it, perhaps it could be covered by the the town’s economic development budget.
Another option is that the bass tournament cover the fee itself.
“We’ll deal with whatever decision council makes,” Cain said, but he hoped council would take the study into consideration before making its decision.
“I just hope the anglers don’t have to pay. The anglers should not be penalized,” he argued.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
