Financial Challenges Threaten to Make Macker City Unable to Host Tournament

The Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball tournament has been a valuable addition to Jamestown’s events calendar, and it’s great to see City Council members stepping up to help new tournament organizer Pat Smeraldo keep the tournament in the city for at least another year. The tournament brings economic benefits to the city and creates a sense of activity in the downtown area. However, with the third local host organization and the need for $20,000 in outside funding, there are concerns about its future in Jamestown.

The collaborative effort by several council members was necessary to secure the tournament for next year, but there was confusion over funding sources. Looking ahead, it’s clear that ARPA funding won’t be available forever, and current host organizations can’t continue to bring the tournament back year after year if it doesn’t break even. If Gus Macker officials want to keep the tournament in Jamestown, they will need to work with local officials to find ways to bring down costs.

Ultimately, whether or not the benefits of having the Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball tournament outweigh its costs in Jamestown remains a question for now. However, one thing is certain – if we want this important event to continue in our city for years to come, we need to work together as a community to make it happen.