City of Powell River is asking for $12,000 more for use of its facilities in a new three-year contract with Powell River Kings hockey team.
Director of parks, recreation and culture Ray Boogaards told council at a recent committee of the whole meeting that his department is looking forward to the continued relationship with the junior A team. The three-year contract nets the city $70,000 from the hockey team.
Arena ice-rental rates are a key aspect of the agreement that runs until the end of the 2017/18 hockey season. The deal incrementally raises the cost of using Hap Parker Arena ice by about $4,000 each year. Rent for ice usage in 2015/2016 season is $12,136.
“We want to be fair to the Kings, but we also want to be fair to our taxpayers, too,” said Boogaards.
The city is trying to bring the price in line with what other teams in the Kings’ BC Hockey League pay for public ice, said Boogaards.
The agreement reduces the city’s overall subsidy of the team from 65 per cent of the standard ice-rental rate down to 51 per cent by the end of the three-year contract.
The deal also allows Kings to keep all advertising revenue and beer-gardens sales profits during the term of contract. The team signed a three-year contract to operate the arena’s beer gardens last month.
Kings Hockey Society treasurer Joe Mastrodonato said the team considers the new agreement to be fair, despite the rising cost of the ice.
“Each year I have to come up with new ideas on how to make more money and get the help the team needs,” said Mastrodonato. “It’s a fair deal, considering the use of the facility we have. The problem always is cash flow.”
Mastrodonato said the club is going to have to work harder in the community to bring more fans out to watch games and engage in more fundraising.
“But without the city’s support we wouldn’t be able to continue,” he said.
The Kings have made a few changes this season to encourage more fans to come out to games, including a family rate and selling tickets online.
The agreement also includes increases in the price of fitness passes for Kings players and a two per cent annual increase for the Kings office space inside the complex. The Kings hockey team has been in Powell River since 1987.
