The City of Cranbrook will provide staff time at the Rec-Plex, cover costs (about $100) for electrical work and council proclaimed Feb. 11 as Family Faith Night II, but council also voted four to two against donating $554.50 to the event, as requested by Kootenay Ice goaltender Nathan Lieuwen during a Jan. 23 presentation in the city chambers.

Several councilors expressed discomfort at financially supporting such an event, which last year drew the largest crowd to an Ice game, including their march to the WHL championship, because of the precedence it would set.

“I commend Nathan for what he is doing. We need people of faith” because “there is so much faithlessness around,” stated Coun. Angus Davis. However, he couldn’t support the donation request.

“As much as I admire this young fella and his courage, I can’t support this,” he said.

“I have a concern,” said Coun. Gerry Warner. “It opens the door that’ll be very difficult to close” as other groups come to the city seeking funds. He added he’d be more comfortable if faith community “would pony up the money. This is a heady mixture of faith and politics and hockey. I think it’s a good event, being a church-going person myself.”

Lieuwen told council last year’s event “was a huge success for us. This year we hope to go above and beyond.”
The event helped draw 3,500 to the Rec-Plex last year, where Lieuwen shared “his story – my career and my faith. It just brings everyone into one building and we can all share in the fun together.”

This year’s event will have more of a focus on family, Lieuwen continued. “This way it is more general,” he said. The support from the city would go toward “the family aspect,” he said, noting there will be a family skate and family swim this year in an attempt “to bring faith-based and non faith-based groups together.”

Coun. Denise Pallesen congratulated the towering 6’5” Lieuwen, who is currently the second-ranked netminder in the Western Hockey League, “for getting through the first one and coming back to do another. It speaks a lot to you.”

She later suggested council support the event for this year, as a one-time deal, to steer clear of setting precedence.

Coun. Sharon Cross agreed with Davis and Warner.

“I support any event that can pull families together” she said, but taxpayers shouldn’t help pay for a faith event. “It’s a bit of a slippery slope,” she said.

“I’d be a lot happier if it was just a family event,” said Coun. Bob Whetham.

Mayor Wayne Stetski and Pallesen were the lone votes in favour of providing the funds.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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