The District of Tumbler Ridge will—most likely—be hosting an exhibition game when the National Women’s U18 tournament comes to Dawson Creek this fall.
The game will happen Sunday November 5, and will see two as-yet-to-be-determined teams play a game in Tumbler Ridge.
As part of that, the District is planning on entering into a contract to pay the City of Dawson Creek $15,000 (plus GST) to host the games, but will retain all revenue generated from the event, including ticket sales, sponsorships, etc.
While there are a lot of details that need to be hammered out before things are official, council officially decided to move forward with the plan at the April 3 meeting of council.
Councillor Gulick says she remembers how pumped the people in the community were when the U17 teams played in town. “The excitement within the community was very high,” says Gulick. “We have a fairly supportive hockey community here in Tumbler Ridge. I thought it was a really good opportunity for our kids, for our community and we have the facilities, so as long as it isn’t in conflict for anything else…”
She says the price seems a little high, but she admits she does not know all it entails. Still, she says. “I feel like this is something for our residents and I think it’s good to take advantage of those opportunities when we get them.”
Mayor Krakowka agrees. “It’s great for our community and it’s great for our residents but it’s also great for visitors as well.”
He points back to what a great experience it was when team Russia was in town. “I think it was great for the community. They went into stores around our community they signed stuff for our youth. I think it was it was a job well done by the District and by our residents so I am in hundred percent support.”
Not every Councillor was in favour. Councillor Noksana, for instance, says in addition to the $15,000 payment to Dawson Creek, there’s a long list of other things that the District needs to fund. “If you look at feeding 75 people before and after the game, and those meals have to be approved by Hockey Canada’s high performance standard. We might need to cover some sponsorship signs or get them approved I don’t know what that means for our in ice advertising that we have where the money goes to our local non-profits…there’s a very, very big list of things that we would have to know first before I could support this.”
Councillor Hofman says he agrees with Councillor Noksana, though he supports the concept, just not as it is written at this point. “If we’re going to say we support the concept and we want to go to negotiations, then I’m fine with doing that behind closed doors,” says Hofman. “But I’m not fine with saying yes to what’s in front of us.”
Mayor Krakowka says right now, the plan is to agree to the $15,000, then have staff go back to talk with the City of Dawson Creek to get clarity. “I would not want to miss the opportunity to have this event come and spotlight our community and our facilities and maybe connect some of those kids who want to get into minor hockey,” he says. “I’m comfortable with the $15,000 and with staff getting back to the city of Dawson Creek.”
Councillor Norbury says to his mind, it’s a negotiation of good faith. “I’m fine with most of it. There are a few clauses that I’m not sure we could meet even if we wanted to. Last time we had a game here, they were fine with an on-call dentist in Dawson Creek. We’re not spending 15k till staff goes through this. The motion was that we support the under 18 hockey championships and to pay the $15,000 to city of Dawson Creek, but would that be paid before we get through this? I think it’s important for us to bring next-level hockey to our community. Looking back to when the Russian team came, it was a big thing, and our exposure to that level of hockey in Tumbler Ridge is limited and I’d like to see more happen for our youth to encourage them. I’m in favor of supporting the event coming to Tumbler Ridge.”
More details as they arise.
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
