Sawyer Bingo Halls Still Smoke Free

About 2 months ago, the West Branch Community Center started to hold bingo games during Thursday nights. Unlike other bingo establishments in the area and outside their town which has an atmosphere so thick that you can choke on it and can hardly breathe in it, the bingo hall of the West Branch Community Center is smoke free.

It has been one year since the smoking ban was imposed on Marquette County which covers all public areas and workplaces in the county. Although, some places that fall under the smoking ban can apply for an exemption if they have a gambling night, like bingo games. The West Branch Community Center has decided not to take the smoking ban exemption for their establishment.

It has been a year since Marquette County instituted a smoking ban in public areas and because of its clean atmosphere, it is attracting people who do not want to come home smelling like smoke. Though that is not the sole reason for not allowing anyone to smoke, that is the primary reason for the night in the first place.

Doneen Ferris, the Bingo Chairperson of the West Branch Community Center explained that the reason that they have started bingo games in the Community Center is to promote healthy living and fitness and youth oriented programs. They want to make sure that no one, especially a child is turned away because of the smoking.

It was a difficult decision to make the bingo night smoke free especially when it comes to raising money from it but they are hoping that a smoke free environment will be eventually a drawing factor to people who would like to play bingo but at the same time enjoy a relatively smoke free environment.