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Bull-a-Rama ‘Not a bust’

"There has been and still is tremendous support from the sponsors in the community."

My name is Guy Thompson and I have been involved with Bull-a-Rama since its inception 13 years ago and would like to respond to the editorial regarding how much money the bull ridings have cost the City of Trail in the past years.

In the article it was stated that since 2008, it has cost the city $91,000 with no mention of anything which came back.

Here are a few examples of that side . . .

• The Trail Smoke Eaters have profited from beer sales and the Spud Shack revenue for the past 13 years. I do not have the exact figures, but I believe it would be greater than the $91,000.

Fundraisers like this go towards paying for ice time, and help to keep the franchise here in town. Without events like this coming to town there would be more vacant ice time, which in turn could result in layoffs of arena staff.

• The Trail Old timers hockey club has worked on the beer gardens at the dance from the very first event, their profits would be $13,000, which in turn goes back to the city for ice time.

• The Trail Horseman Society have been given every one of the 50/50 draws in turn for the rental of the rodeo grounds. This is a major fundraiser for that club, having accumulated approximately $20,000. As a point of interest, the club was ready to fold due to lack of funds when the bull riding first happened.

• Other groups, such as minor hockey, minor ball, rugby teams, fireman’s charities, Katimavic, girls hockey, J.L. Crowe graduating classes, Cancer Society, Ducks Unlimited have all been involved with financial gains over the years.

There has been and still is tremendous support from the sponsors in the community.

This event brings people to town for the weekend each year. The cowboys themselves talk all year about how well they are treated in Trail and look forward to coming to what has been built into a top-notch event.

Our committee takes pride in bringing an event to town that offers family entertainment. The Kiwanis Club brings the popular Mutton Busting event and Teck sponsors our rodeo clown.

In closing, I would like to say I am proud to have been a part of this hard working committee that has brought bull riding to Trail for 13 years and thank the City of Trail for its unfailing support.

I do believe that if all the figures were brought forward I am reasonably sure that the pluses would far outweigh the minus… $91,000.

Guy Thompson

Ta Ta Creek