Thursday will be a day to celebrate in Lewiston, as the Maineiacs’ championship banners will be raised to the rafters at the Colisee.

And the team is expecting a sell out.

But what about Saturday? And the next home game? And the one after that?

Can the Maineiacs realistically expect to sell out the Colisee, even though they are the QMJHL defending champions?

No.

Because the team isn’t committed to family.

And, before you fire up your e-mail account to call me out, I am not ripping on the Maineiacs. They are a unbelievably positive influence on this community.

But, for the prototypical family of four, it would cost $44 ($14 for adults, $8 for youth) to just get in the door. What about hot dogs? Or a Maineiacs jersey? Or a large soda?

The price keeps on growing.

In a ritzy area like Portland, maybe more fans can afford to shell out $70-plus to attend an individual game.

In Lewiston-Auburn, not so much.

Heck, a family of four can see a Portland Pirates game for $32. Isn’t this a bit backward?

The median income is far lower in L-A. This is an old mill town, and people need every penny they earn for rent, for schooling or to put dinner on the table.

Do they love hockey? Yes. L-A wouldn’t be deemed “Hockeytown” if there wasn’t a passion for it.

But, who actually gets to enjoy it? Basically the same 2,000 fans, night in and night out.

And that is elitist. And that doesn’t reflect this community all that well.

The Maineiacs may be worth the price of admission, but it isn’t realistic in this environment.

And, to make sure that I am not just calling the Maineiacs out, why do high schools charge for fans to attend football games?

And don’t give me that “it funds our program” schtick. It’s old, and played out.

Parents pay so much money out of pocket to have their kid play an organized high school sport that they deserve to get into games for free.

High school should be about building confidence, and seeing the stands full is a thrill for players standing on the sideline. Not to mention, it is great for younger kids to get outdoors and watch their brothers and sisters. It encourages and applauds physical activity.

And, if the programs need money, what happened to selling candy bars? Or cookies? Or a Jog-A-Thon? If the Girl Scouts can go door-to-door to keep their troops going, then football players can connect with the community by asking for help. It humbles them and makes them realize that there is more to life than just the on-the-field stuff . . . they need to work to make it in this world.

After all, doesn’t that represent what Mainers stand for?

Hard work conquers all. Right?

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