Vancouver Chamber of Commerce backs baseball proposal

The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday endorsing a proposal to enact a 5 percent entertainment admissions tax to help fund a baseball stadium at Clark College.

The proposal is an attempt to bring the Class A Yakima Bears to Vancouver.

Commissioners will have a public hearing on the admissions tax at 10 a.m. Nov. 29 at the Clark County Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St.

The letter was signed by Tim Schauer, president of the GVCC’s board of directors, and Kelly Parker, president of the chamber.

Schauer was one of 14 civic and business leaders to sign a letter outlining the funding proposal to Bob Richmond, president of the Northwest League. The league will have to approve the Bears’ move.

In the letter to county commissioners, Schauer and Parker wrote that the community will benefit from having a minor league baseball team.

“GVCC understands the Board of Commissioners’ concerns about increasing taxes in this tough economy. As the lead business organization in Southwest Washington representing 1,000 businesses, GVCC is cautious regarding any tax increase. But upon review and reflection, the GVCC determines there to be ample return on investment,” the letter reads.

A 5 percent tax would be levied on movie theaters, Sleep Country Amphitheater, the Clark County Fair, professional baseball games and public and private golf courses.

If commissioners approve the tax, a majority of the Vancouver City Council would still need to support it.