Council pushes back on Red Wings funding pitch

Members of Elliot Lake City Council voted Monday night to hold this season's city sponsorship of the  Elliot Lake Red Wings Junior "A" Hockey Club to $10,000. That was half of the non-cash funding the club had sought from the city.

The Red Wings owe the city $50,000 of their original loan.  Another loan with a $25,000 principal is owed to Elliot Lake and North Shore Corporation for Business Development (ELNOS).

The club had also asked for other taxpayer-based benefits largely based on the use of the city-owned Centennial Arena, along with other perks from City Hall.

Instead, Council also demanded an early signed agreement with the hockey club's board aimed at reaching a written agreement, listing Elliot Lake as a creditor of record. 

The agreement would be aimed at securing a commitment from the team detailing its financial responsibilities to the city.

Earlier this month the Red Wings and the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League announced the Elliot Lake club, previously known as the Elliot Lake Wildcats, had been re-branded as the Elliot Lake Red Wings.

The team has an agreement with a southern Ontario-based management group that is handling its day-to-day operations.

Coun. Ed Pearce spoke on behalf of the Red Wings at the virtual meeting as Council's appointed rep to the club's Board.

Coun. Sandy Finamore declared a conflict. She was the only Council member not to take part in debate or vote on the Red Wings' requests.