THUNDER BAY – When is the last time deeds topped words on the proposed Thunder Bay Event Centre? ‘Facta non Verba’ or ‘deeds not words’ is the motto on the wall at Hammarskjold High School in Thunder Bay. They were also the favourite motto of former Port Arthur MP CD Howe, the Liberal titan who represented the area in past.
There is one thing that has becoming a common thread of discussions at Fort William Gardens during intermission between the periods of hockey games recently.
When you ask someone who is attending a hockey game what they think of the plans for a new 5,700 seat arena, most look around the empty seats surrounding them asking what is the need?
Perhaps it is time for those who are so determined to say that Thunder Bay needs a new event centre to start showing that with action by putting themselves and their friends into the seats for events at the current facility?
When you get unsolicited comment from fans from the United States, as happened this past weekend on what a great venue Fort William Gardens is for hockey, and see how the Thunder Bay Queen’s tournament headed to Fort William First Nation for their successful weekend hockey tournament, what might be evident is that we are not looking at the bigger picture.
Is there a need for a convention centre?
A need for a bigger venue for larger concerts?
Certainly there is.
Is there also a need to show that we really need it? There certainly should be.
Attendance at the amazingly exciting Lakehead University Thunderwolves games are not selling out the Fort William Gardens either.
Ticket prices for adults are $12 and for students are $7. It is certainly not price that is a factor.
If the plan is to bring a professional team to the city, looking at the ticket prices for the Ontario Reign of the ECHL, the ‘nosebleed’ seat prices are $12, and the prime seats in the house for the team are $50 per seat. Those prices alone mean for a family to go the price gets right up there.
If people in Thunder Bay are not selling out the games that we currently have, at very affordable ticket prices, that certainly begs the question how will we support teams at up to four times the ticket prices in a venue almost double the size of the crowds who are currently coming to Lakehead Thunderwolves games.
Maybe it is time for those who support the event centre to start supporting the actual games and events by gracing the Gardens with their presence?
Just saying, that’s all!
James Murray
Content and News Director
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