Local groups and charities can get tickets for the Niagara River Lions in the city’s community suite.
On March 11, the City of St. Catharines announced that, once again, it would be making its community suite at the Meridian Centre available for successful applicants.
The Meridian Centre Community Use Program offers local non-profit organizations and sports organizations the chance to receive 12 tickets to see one of Niagara’s sports teams, the Niagara Ice Dogs or the Niagara River Lions, depending on the season.
The current online application period, which closes on April 5, is for the Niagara River Lions, a basketball team, whose season begins in May.
“We are proud to partner with community groups to offer these kinds of opportunities,” said Community and Events Supervisor, Brianne Wilson, in the release. “This program helps to recognize the outstanding work local groups accomplish and provides a wonderful opportunity for youth to attend a game.”
Applicants are divided into two streams: groups planning to use the community seats for fundraising purposes and groups planning to bring children and youth to a game. Organizations must be registered charities, incorporated non-profits, or minor not-for-profit sports associations. While all registered charities and incorporated non-profits are eligible, preference will be given to those focused on youths.
Last year, the River Lions ranked first in the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) Eastern Conference. This may be a new league, only entering its sixth season, but last year, the River Lions averaged 3,106 attendees per game.
12 tickets can be a sizeable item to sell to raise funds, especially as the River Lions gain popularity in St. Catharines and the Niagara region. It would be a great package for a charity auction or raffle, for example.
Attending a professional game such as this can also be influential for youth athletes in minor not-for-profit sports organizations. Watching others play sports can increase the skills of youth athletes: observing professionals perform the moves they’ve been learning from their coaches can help instructions click in.
Seeing professional athletes performing these moves – moves similar to the ones they already know – can also give children hope that they could one day be that good; it can give them something to strive for. The Niagara River Lions being a local team only exemplifies this.
These tickets in the city’s community suite, some of the best in the Meridian Centre, are a great opportunity for any organization, whether they want to use the space for fundraising or to provide youths with a fun experience.
Interested parties can find more information and access to the online application here. City staff will conduct the reviewing process of applications, and successful applicants will be notified in writing and given the date of their game once they are selected.