By Jasmine Franklin
After 20 years of number calling, bingo dabbers and socializing, Ponoka’s bingo hall will close Feb. 26.
“In a way, this is disappointing,” said Plaza bingo manager Debbie Witvoet. “It’s really unfortunate for the community clubs who fundraise through here and for our regulars who are here every night.”
With declining attendance over the last two years, it’s come to a point where the bingo hall is just not making enough to get by.
“Ten years ago we were averaging 214 people per evening,” Witvoet said. “Now, we’re at 94 per night.”
Witvoet said after no-smoking legislation was imposed in 2008 attendance began to decrease.
“It is sad because it’s mostly seniors who come here and that is their socializing time,” she said. “It’s their way of getting out. I’ve had some seniors come to me and say they don’t know what they’re going to do now.”
Built in 1990, the bingo hall used to be open seven days per week but in August 2008 the hall cut back to five days per week when attendance decreased on weekends.
“We are paying rent for seven days and only operating for five,” Witvoet said.
At the hall six part-time employees and one full-time employee, Witvoet, will lose their jobs.
Loss for clubs in the community
“We have 13 clubs that work with us,” Witvoet said. “Now they will have to look for other forms of fundraising.”
Bingo organizer for the Ponoka Skating Club, Sharon Hackett, said the club will host a meeting to brainstorm other ways for fundraising.
“We are going to have to look into other fundraising efforts,” Hackett said.
The Ponoka Skating Club worked about three bingos per month to fundraise.
Specials will be offered as the last days for Plaza Bingo approach. On Feb. 25 all pots will be capped and on the last day, Feb. 26, all remaining pots will be played off.
Witvoet can’t see the bingo doors re-opening anytime soon.
“Donations would help out,” she said. “But we really need the attendance.”