Wheelchair basketball team seeks use of Bryant Center

The Wisconsin Thunder wheelchair basketball team is asking the city to waive fees so it can play home games this year at the John Bryant Community Center.

The Thunder, ranked No. 2 among 71 teams in Division 3 of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association, played all 30 of its games last year on the road because the team could not afford the $200 fee to host games at the community center, according to a letter Coach Carlos Mireles wrote to the city.

The team raises money to cover travel expenses and tries to cut costs whenever possible, Mireles said. Last season they traveled to and from Iowa in a day to save money on hotels, he said.

The Thunder reached the national finals last year, losing to a team from Canada in the championship game. "It made me disappointed to know that people of Racine did not see this team, one of the best teams I ever coached," Mireles wrote.

The team hopes to use the Bryant Center gym three or four times during the season on Saturdays.

Mireles' request will be introduced to the City Council on Tuesday and referred to the Finance and Personnel Committee for action.