The first stage of the Borderland Thunder’s financial rejuvenation took place last night with the inaugural meeting of the Thunder Club at Our Lady of Lourdes church hall at Couchiching.
The fan-based booster organization drew a crowd of 16 people, along with Thunder head coach Dave Allison and team members Kurt Hogard and Dave Gooch.
“It was an okay turnout although I was hoping for a few more,” said newly-elected Thunder Club chairperson Melanie McPherson, who will be joined on the executive by vice-chair John Payne, treasurer Everett Freeman, and secretary Susie Jones.
“I think the club will have a good impact on fundraising and to get more people out to the games,” she added.
The idea for the Thunder Club came up this spring during discussions by the organizing committee for the Dudley Hewitt Cup Central Canada Junior ‘A’ championship that was held here.
The need for the club became more of a priority when it was revealed in early September that the team had run up an operating deficit of more than $122,000 in its first two years of existence, although nearly half of that has since been paid off.
The Thunder Club will operate outside of the jurisdiction of the team itself, which is owned by Couchiching.
But it recently received approval from the band council to use the team’s name and logo in its fundraising efforts.
Discussions last night centered on suggested action plans for the Thunder Club, including organizing a 60/40 draw, a garage sale, and a spring fashion show that would feature the Borderland players modeling the latest fashions from local clothing stores.
Emphasis also was put on showcasing the players more in the community, including possibly weekly profiles in the Fort Frances Times, as well as hospital and school appearances.
The club’s next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes hall.
Anyone interested in helping out can contact McPherson at 274- 9066.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
