Note: Excerpt from the Mar. 26 Revestoke City Council notes.
The city parks department is reluctant to take over the Glacier Challenge softball tournament, following a request for city help from organizer (and former mayor) Mark McKee.
McKee appeared at a city meeting earlier this year, asking for assistance to sustain the tournament, which began in 1988.
In a report from parks and recreation director Laurie Donato that was approved by council, she opted for a wider look for funding help, such as via tourism infrastructure grants, or by partnership with the Revelstoke Accommodation Association.
Donato’s report estimated the tournament already costs taxpayers about “$24,000–$30,000” annually. Parks staff members create team packages, stationary, pay for mailing and postage costs, produce schedules, rent city facilities in kind, register campers and field phone calls, amongst other duties. This is in addition to extra staff time and aquatic centre facility hours during the tournament.
Coun. Gary Starling said taxpayers didn’t want to pay for the tournament. “We’ve been asked to champion this, but I’m not so sure taxpayers would be in favour of that. We’re simply looking for some other avenue to champion this thing and keep it going.” Starling said. “If this thing is going to stay viable long-term, we need to find some other avenue for it.”