At right: Kody Rickley (right) of the Happy Car Wash Crusaders makes the reception as Ryan Litzner (left) and Lucas Riordan of the McDonald's Mustangs converge for the touchdown during a game Monday, September 8. The three boys are members of the youth touch football league organized by the St. Ignace Recreation Department. About 80 people cheered on their favorite players as 15 teams competed in St. Ignace's first dodgeball tournament Saturday, September 6, and plans now are underway for a second match in January.

"It's a wide open market, and I'd like to pursue it and have a championship dodgeball tournament held in St. Ignace," said Recreation Director Scott Marshall.

With ice on the rink at Little Bear East Arena in January, Mr. Marshall told the Recreation Committee Wednesday, September 10, that play will be at LaSalle High School. The Recreation Department will retain entry fees and the school will run the concession stand.

Last week's tournament lost $239.96, he said, owing to initial costs for supplies. T-shirts not sold and trophies not needed this time will be used at the January event. Also, team fees will increase from $30 to $60, he said, which is more in line with other dodgeball events played in the state.

More than 200 hotel rooms will be rented on an October weekend, estimates Mr. Marshall, since he was able to get a portion of a Sault Ste. Marie hockey tournament to be played at the arena October 17 through October 19.

Negotiations were set to begin Thursday, September 11, with the St. Ignace Hockey Association for the concession at the arena. Currently, the organization runs the concession and the Recreation Department receives 10% of revenue.

Recreation committee member Fred Paquin suggested Mr. Marshall require a base minimum of $1,500 for the department, as the current 10% the department now receives probably just covers the cost of the dumpster needed for waste.

Mr. Paquin also asked for a copy of the financial statements on the concession over the last three years.

Mr. Marshall is also negotiating a contract with beverage suppliers. The sponsorship ended one month ago for Pepsi products offered exclusively at the arena. Mr. Marshall is talking with both Coke and Pepsi providers, which are seeking the sponsorship. The department has been getting a payment at the end of the contract, said Mr. Marshall, based on what the beverage company thought reasonable. That practice, said Mr. Marshall, was not acceptable to him and the companies now are considering making a donation to the arena at the beginning of the contract, of digital score clocks and indoor basketball hoops.

The committee approved recommending to City Council the purchase of a truck for the recreation department. The cost is not to exceed $4,500 and the city mechanic should examine any vehicle considered, say committee members. The department will seek a twoyear, no interest loan from the Department of Public Works to pay for the truck. The city, said City Manager Eric Dodson, has made similar loans in the past.

The city reimburses employees 58¢ per mile, said Mr. Dodson, and it expects to pay about $4,000 to Recreation Department employees who use their own vehicles in the next year for work-related travel. That means the employees in that department drive almost 7,000 miles a year on city business.

Mr. Marshall said that keeping the required mileage records was time consuming for both him and city staff, who have to review the documents and prepare payments to him and other recreation department staff. For city vehicles, only employee gas card charges are monitored.

Mr. Marshall updated the committee on the construction work at the fitness center. The walls are in place and now he is awaiting the arrival of the trusses.

He also reminded the committee that the Upper Peninsula Fall Wrestling Championship begins at 10 a.m. Sunday, September 21, at the arena.

The Recreation Committee next meets Wednesday, October 8, at 7 p.m. at Little Bear East Arena.