Future of big tent could collapse if more users do not help prop it up

By Ken Johnston
Editor

There were some big top questions, last Saturday, about the future of the district’s giant events tent.
Purchased over a decade ago by the Rainy River Future Development Corporation (RRFDC) and recently refurbished at a cost of $70,000, the future of the tent is now in question.
RRFDC chair, George Emes, told the delegates of the 20th Annual Rainy River Municipal Association last Saturday that usage has dropped off, leaving revenues nominal at best.
The RRFDC took out a loan to buy it and over the years communities rented it and hosted community festivals such as homecomings and fishing derbies. But renters have fallen off with only Rainy River and Morson using it last year for the Rainy River Walleye Tournament and the Morson Bass International tournament.
Emes said that RRFDC wants input from the district. “Do you still want the tent to be available? If so tell us you are going to use it!”
Angela Halverson of the RRFDC said that the board is looking at the possibility of waiving the rental costs with the hopes that they could make a case to FedNor that the tent is an essential part of economic development in the district. “We think we could make that case,” said Halverson during a coffee break at the meeting.
Emes said that communities would still have to pay to have it put up and taken down. That part of the tent usage is in itself part of the reason many communities are shying away from it. Finding bodies to help erect it and dismantle it is a struggle to say the least.
However, Emes said they are hopeful that the waiving of the rent for the tent might inspire groups to utilize it and rally to the needs to put it up and take it down. “If not we will have to look at selling it.”
Both Rainy River and Morson depend heavily on the tent to make their fish derbies a success. However, Rainy River could follow Emo and Fort Frances’ footsteps and move their weigh-ins and other parts of the event to the local arena. Emo has held their derby in the arena there since it began. Fort Frances moved to their arenas in the past couple of years. Fort used to rent the tent.
Rainy River has significantly invested in infrastructure to accommodate the tent. They had a heavy duty electrical service, an asphalt pad and a sewer hook-up for washrooms installed at Hannam Park.
Emes did not give a deadline as to when the board would like commitments for usage, but he noted that some communities were confused. “Some thought we were seeking donations. On the contrary, we are looking for users, not donations.”