Wildcat plate in danger of being discontinued

The Wildcat Athletic Endowment Fund license plate is an easy way to give back to Columbia Falls athletics. But there’s just one problem: Not enough folks have bought the plate and the state is threatening to shut it down.

So far, about 300 people have the plates, noted endowment boardmember Kyle Johnson.

But the endowment recently was notified by the state department of motor vehicles that if its sales didn’t reach 400 plates by June 30 of next year, the plate would be discontinued.

So far, about 300 motorists have bought the plate in one form or another, since they were created by the endowment in 2013. In short, 100 more motorists are needed to keep the plate alive.

The plate provides valuable revenue to the endowment, Johnson noted — about $250 to $300 a month.

The total endowment is now over $500,000. Principal from the fund is used to pay for athletic costs above and beyond what a student can afford to pay.

“It’s designed to benefit the kids who can’t afford to pay to play,” Johnson said.

For example, the endowment is has provided funds in the past for “spirit packs” which are warmups and other amenities athletes have to buy out of their own pockets when they play a sport.

The endowment has also been used for equipment, supplies and has helped the booster club feed visiting teams during tournaments. The lighting on the soccer fields, for example, was supported in part by endowment funds.

To get the license plate, one only has to choose it and pay the additional fee when they purchase a new vehicle or renew plates on an old vehicle. The plate costs an additional $20 annually, unless the vehicle is 11 years old or older, then the fee is a one-time payment of $20.