Cutting costs of sports through ads

Times Reporter 

 

With the cost of playing sports increasing almost annually, Strathmore High School (SHS) has found a way to help offset some of the operational costs, which will deflect back to the students. Since the beginning of December people may have noticed the new signs adorning the fence that surrounds the field at the school. The signs are a part of a new advertising program.    

“The costs of running these programs is getting more and more expensive and of course the cost of doing that just gets deflected more and more to the kids that are in it. We’re always worried in a school that not all the kids take part because of the cost involved in it,” said SHS Associate Principal Kyle Larson.

“The intent of this is it is our business community helping kids but hopefully it’s us helping the business community as well.”

Larson said for students to play basketball at the school it costs about $250 per student. Then there are travelling costs and the extras associated with that. 

During the last school year a committee was formed to figure out how to generate revenue, and to help offset some of the costs to the students who participate in school sports. The idea was raised to approach the business community about advertising on the fence and see what the response was. 

In the fall there were letters sent out with some of the students to distribute to businesses around town to see what sort of interest could be generated in the proposal. The kids delivered the letters, since ultimately the initiative is meant to benefit them. 

Chinook Credit Union was the first to approach the school, and have been supportive of the initiative. Larson said the hope is that people will feel the advertising has been a benefit for them and will want to continue on with it. 

“It’s been a very favourable response from the business community in town and we’ve had lots of interest. Now it’s just a matter of keeping it going and working with the businesses that are interested,” said Larson.

“Whatever we bring in is a benefit to the kids and hopefully we can generate enough funds to really help out with the programs.”

The business buys a 4×8 piece that fits between the posts. It’s a one-year contract and the business is responsible for getting their ad produced. There are about 50 spots available in total, costing $500 per year to lease.