The Quesnel River Rush hockey team is facing increased financial pressures following the move from junior A to junior B.
Jeanne Ross, Governor and Business Manager with the team, spoke at Tuesday (June 9) night’s North Cariboo Joint Advisory Committee meeting in Quesnel.
“Our regular season schedule has increased from 42 to 50 games which creates travel requirements and associated costs. While we anticipate increased revenue from the additional home games, that revenue will not fully offset the increased expenses related to travel, accommodations, meals and transportation.”
Ross said that league realignment would also have a significant impact.
“Instead of divisional trips to communities such as 100 Mile, Chase and Sicamous, we will now be making longer road trips to Revelstoke, Princeton, Summerland and Merritt. We anticipate at least three overnight road trips during this season resulting in substantially higher operating costs than previous years.”
Ross also told the committee that the league was reducing the fees that the players pay to the teams, although she did not have that amount available.
To help with the increased costs, Ross had two requests of the committee.
“First we ask that the annual $75,000 sustainability payment to the Kangaroos be discontinued. We believe that the Kangaroos have demonstrated their ability to generate revenue through sponsorships, funding initiatives, community events, ticket sales and other activities. Second we ask the committee to consider reducing our ice rental costs. As the primary tenant operating a junior A franchise that generates substantial economic activity and community benefits, we believe there is a strong case for support.”
Ross said that those two adjustments would have a significant impact on their ability to remain financially sustainable.
To make their case, Ross talked about the positive economic impact that the team had on the community.
“For the upcoming season our projections are based on 28 home games from an increase of 24 due to the new BCHC (BC Hockey League), average attendance of approximately 650 fans per game, approximately 168 out-of-town visitors attending each game, visiting teams staying overnight in Quesnel, local fans spending before and after games, team travel expenditures throughout the province, retail, fuel, restaurant and accommodations spending connected to our operations. These estimates are conservative and based on actual attendance figures and spending patterns we have observed over the past two years. When combined these activities generate approximately 1.75 million in direct spending annually within the Quesnel economy.”
Ross, in breaking it down further, said that hotels would receive the largest benefit of almost $800,000, restaurants will get around $325,000, and fuel stations nearly half a million dollars.
She said that local retail stores will also benefit and there will be revenue generated from the concession at the games.
Ross also talked about the community impact that the team has in other areas.
“One of our core values has always been giving back. Our players and staff have contributed well over 200 hours of volunteer work each year. We’ve supported charities such as the Nourish Food Bank (over $22,000 in 50-50 proceeds went to it), the Holiday food drive, the toy drive, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, we visited every school in the District, provided hockey gear to six new youth from players of the Lhtako Dene Nation. We’ve participated in community events and supported many other community organizations whenever possible.”
Ross went on to say that they also work closely with Quesnel Minor Hockey to develop players.
While the committee won’t make a decision on the team’s request until a future meeting, several comments were made.
Ross talked about not wanting to negatively impact other teams in the community or to create divisions.
City Councillor Martin Runge questioned that.
“Unfortunately, that 75 thousand, that sustainability payment, does actually effect another hockey team, so have discussions happened among both you with regards to this ? Are there ways that the teams can work together to solve some of these issues. We know that two years ago when we originally came up with that contract the rink board signs were moved to you with the 75 thousand going to the Kangaroos to maintain.”
Barb Bachmeier, the CRD Director for Area B, felt that now was not the right time to change things.
“As I recall when we first negotiated this contract the Kangaroos needed about a hundred thousand dollars and we come up with 75 thousand that they thought that they could stay viable in this community and they’ve been supporting this community for I think decades. There was a contract signed for five years, and if you want to renegotiate the contract, in my opinion, that should be after the five year term. And then you can actually have a discussion with the Kangaroos and the Quesnel River Rush and come to an agreement but I’m shocked that this is coming forward really.”
Councillor Debra McKelvie requested that the team supply financial statements before they make a decision, and Councillor Mitch Vik suggested that the River Rush go to the league for some help.
“Have you approached your league saying that some of these are external factors effecting your organization and indirectly effecting the Kangaroos ? I think there is some onus on the league to assist small market clubs to succeed and to survive.”
Ross noted that the league’s AGM was coming up this weekend in Nelson and that she felt other teams would be asking for the same thing.
