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Bombers give up the fight

Bombers won’t be back, failed to get key investors

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Staff photo by Chris Stewart Dayton Bombers owner Costa Papista turned in the Bombers’ membership to the league Thursday, June 25.

Local team disbanded, but will Dayton have another chance at becoming a hockey town?

By Debbie Juniewicz, Contributing Writer Updated 12:57 AM Friday, June 26, 2009

The Dayton Bombers have been part of the local sports scene for the past 18 years. There won’t be a 19th season for the ECHL hockey franchise.

After failing to secure the necessary financial backing to keep the team afloat, Bombers owner Costa Papista turned his team’s membership back to the league Thursday, June 25, during a league meeting in Las Vegas.

“It was a great experience and I am really disappointed that we couldn’t keep it going beyond five years,” said Papista, who bought the struggling team in 2004. “I still think Dayton has the potential to be a great hockey market, but it has to be driven by a great facility.”

Season-ticket pledges, which the Bombers collected while hoping to set the stage for a return in 2010, will be reimbursed through Gottschlich & Portune, the Bombers’ law firm, located in The Armory on East Sixth Street.

Checks will be available beginning July 13 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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