Ticket sales dip at WHS sporting events

The Whitefish School District spent more money than it took in hosting athletic events last year.

Gate receipts totaling $28,391 weren’t enough to cover the costs of referees, security, gate attendants and field use. Including Montana High School Association dues, the district ended with a $5,891 loss for the 2013-14 seasons.

The cost of hosting sporting events has been nip and tuck in recent years, with only two of the past five seasons bringing a small profit.

The 2012-13 seasons ended with the district $1,681 in the black, while the 2011-12 season ended with a $6,363 loss. These numbers compare to the $13,405 profit from the 2000-01 season.

“It’s tough,” said Whitefish High School Athletic Director Aric Harris. “Costs are going up, and we’re not the only show in town anymore.”

“This is why we rely so heavily on our booster club. We’d be in trouble without their support.”

Referees accounted for the highest expense last year at $19,783.

Renting the use of Smith Fields for soccer and softball, and Memorial Field for football cost $8,280. The Glacier Twins baseball club, which leases Memorial Field from the city, subleased the field to the school district for about $5,000 last season, Harris said.

Other expenses were $3,500 in MHSA dues, $1,719 in gate attendants and $1,000 in security.

Harris can’t pinpoint an easily identifiable reason why gate receipts dropped last year.

“It could be as simple as the weather,” he said. “We had some cold weather during the football season.”

He noted the chilly Butte Central playoff game that drew half-filled bleachers.

“But it goes in cycles,” he said. “I’m not too concerned about it.”