The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page - March 20, 2007
RODEO CLUB BRINGS BACK BULL-A-RAMA
Unconfirmed major sponsors and less than perfect record keeping dominated discussion at last Wednesday night's Rodeo Club meeting in Princeton Town Hall.
New President Mike Theal explained he was doubtful the Friday night bullriding event, called Bull-A-Rama, was a financial success last year as the majority of the records kept on expenses and revenues were for the entire rodeo weekend rather than separate for the Bull-A-Rama and two days of rodeo.
"It was well attended," Theal admitted about the Bull-A-Rama. "I'm saying it cost us a lot of money." Although members say about $1,600.00 was made, Theal could not find an exact detailed record on this and indicated he thought the Friday night bullriding event may have cut into attendance numbers on the Sunday rodeo. The Bull-A-Rama brought in $5,000.00 in sponsorship money and cost the club around $12,000.00 to run. Food, alcohol and admission revenues were not available.
A motion was made to go ahead with the Bull-A-Rama event, although a major sponsor is not confirmed. A sponsor has indicated interest in being involved, but confirmation of their financial commitment remains to be finalized. Longtime Rodeo Club member Bob Lind summed up the situation with the optimistic statement, "We'll do whatever we have to do to make it go."
"Without a good sponsor it's going to be a hardship on the rest of the rodeo," Theal pointed out after reviewing additional costs which included such items as $4,000.00 extra for the stock, $900.00 for the clock, $1,100.00 for the clown, $180 extra for the announcer, $380.00 in extra insurance costs, $1,200.00 in additional advertising and prize payouts in the $4,100.00 range.
For comparison, Theal said a total of $10,400.00 was recorded in gate admissions for two days of rodeo in 2005 and $12,138.00 was collected over the three day event last year. In the beer garden, $8,997.00 was earned over the two-day event on 2005 with $10,600.00 recorded for last years three-day rodeo weekend.
This led to a discussion of increasing admission prices, which did not happen. Instead, prices will stay the same with one difference. Admission for the Bull-A-Rama bullriding event, which starts at 5:30 PM Friday, May 11th, will remain at $15.00 per head.
The CPRA Princeton Pro Rodeo admission prices for the 1:30 PM rodeo on both Saturday and Sunday, May 12th and 13th continues to be $12.00 for adults, $10.00 for students and seniors with the additional rate of $2.00 for children aged 6 to 12 years. Youngsters under 6 will be admitted into the rodeo grounds free of charge.
Theal also suggested a numbered ticket system where exact figures can be gathered on attendance.
There is currently no system in place to track how many people, spectators and volunteers, pass through the main gate.
BC LIONS COME TO PRINCETON
At least four players from the CFL's BC Lions will be in Princeton for a "Practice with the Pros" mini football camp planned for April.Princeton Minor Football Association President Jason Earle says Guard Sherko Haji-Rasouli (#55), Defensive Back Mark Washington (#23), Slotback Mike Lindstrom (#86) and Running Back Brad Yamaoka (#34) are confirmed for attendance with more expected to participate. The BC Lions will be in Princeton April 27th for a fundraising event at Princeton Golf Club where for $100 you can play 18-holes.
If you'd rather just meet the players, a buffet will follow and entry is set at $20. All proceeds will go the Minor Football Association.
The Practice with the Pros event will run from 10:00 AM to 12 Noon April 28th at PSS and interested players up to the age of 14 are invited to register for the free mini football camp. Following the Camp there will be time set aside to allow for photos with the players who will also sign autographs.
Every participant in the free football camp will receive a t-shirt and registration for the second season of the Minor Football Association will follow on April 29th.
Earle says he hopes to be able to field a team this season and has invites from at least two minor football leagues to enter the Princeton Pioneers into a regular play schedule.
For more information on any of the activities related to the Minor Football Association, or if you'll like to help in some way, contact Earle at (250) 295-6949.
Registration for the Practice with the Pros mini camp is limited to the first 100.
