Almost a month after the Elliot Lake Junior Wildcats cancelled their 2020-2021 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hockey club has announced its refund policy for season ticket subscribers. That, as the team faces another call to pay its debt owed to the City of Elliot Lake at next Monday's virtual meeting of City Council.
Wildcats interim president Len Kutchaw said anyone who purchased a Wildcats season ticket or flex-pass can obtain a refund upon request.
June 16 has been set as the deadline for subscribers to apply, either via email or phone. He said refunds will be issued by the end of the month. To receive your refund, call at 705 227-1358 or email [email protected].
Meanwhile, the Wildcats continue to owe the city more than $62,000 for a city loan provided in 2014, and other costs owed to the city.
In her written report, Elliot Lake treasurer and director of finance Amy Sonnenburg asked the Wildcats to repay the money over no more than the next five years.
"The loan amount currently outstanding with the Wildcats is $50,000. Since the initial disbursement, the loan has not been subject to interest or finance charges. Per the agreement, facility fees incurred in 2014 and 2015 were included in the loan," wrote Sonnenburg.
"The city's auditors BDO have brought the issue of the outstanding loan to the attention of the treasurer," she continued. "At this time (the) BDO firm requires that council clarify the loan status to complete the 2019 audit."
"At present, the Wildcats are indebted to the city in the amount of $50,000 for the loan outstanding and $12,325 for accounts receivable related to ice surface rentals. Measures need to be in place to ensure that the city funds are returned in a reasonable time frame."
"The city has supported the Elliot Lake Wildcats for the past five years. Therefore, it is recommended that a resolution be provided extending the agreement with the Wildcats."