Will it be plan ‘A’, plan ‘B’, or, plan ‘C’?
Directors of the Elliot Lake Junior Hockey Wildcats outlined three possible financial scenarios this hockey season for consideration by members of Elliot Lake Finance and Administration Committee. The projected figures were submitted at a Monday afternoon committee meeting at Elliot Lake City Hall.
The Wildcats Board of Directors, led by newly-minted Treasurer Leonard Kutchaw, said they are seeking a financial commitment from the City as they prep for their home opener at Centennial Arena on Sept. 27.
But the Wildcats board was told their pitch could not be referred to next Monday's regular meeting of Elliot Lake City Council, due to an expected lengthy debate that night.
It's expected to be a long night at City Hall on Sept. 23, with the Council likely headed for intense debate over sanctions recommended against three Council members by the recently released E4m Integrity Commissioner's report.
Regarding the Wildcats, Finance and Administration Committee Chair, Councillor Norman Mann, said, "At this point, it's quite clear in my mind at least that the municipality is supportive of all ice users. I don't see that changing. So whether it's tonight or at our next scheduled meeting, I'm not too concerned about that point. Clearly, I'm not in a position to make a decision myself tonight, but that's sometimes what happens at committee."
Kutchaw told the Finance and Administration Committee, "We are looking at a worst case, a best case, and the most likely."
A document they produced for this season's Wildcats budget projected the worst case resulting in an operating loss of $104,860, the best case would see the Wildcats turn a slight profit of $2,850, and in the most likely outcome they expect there would be a shortfall of $28,850.
Their submission indicated those figures would each improve by up to $18,000 if City Council decides to forgive ice rental charges and applies them instead to team sponsorships.
"The objective of us coming here today was to request support. And that request is in the form of a sponsorship at the end of the year, based on the city rolling over the monthly ice rental fee. At the end of the year, the city consider making that a sponsorship," Kutchaw said.
He added, "That's a large amount of money to us. Based on the scenarios as presented, the $15,000 to $16,000 would go a long way to hopefully getting us to a net neutral position at the end of the year."
"The other part of our submission, we talked about is the debt that's owed to the city ($50,000),” he said. "We owe that, we owe ELNOS and an individual supporter. We would like the loan held in abeyance."
"We expect to start making some cash flow and when we do, we would make an arrangement with the city that we can start paying that off,” Kutchaw continued.
The Wildcats funding plan has been deferred to the October meeting of the Finance and Administration Committee.
Meantime, the Wildcats say they are in a rebuilding mode this year. Their first home game of the season will be Friday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. when they will host the Blind River Beavers. The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) scheduled the Wildcats to play their first six games on the road to give Elliot Lake extra time, if needed, to make repairs to the Centennial Arena.
One thing that would brighten their balance sheet is a strong campaign to boost ticket sales. This year's season passes are $250 for adults, and $200 for seniors and students. For youth aged six to 11 years, passes are $90, and children five and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Season passes are available from Joanne Cassivi at 705-849-4087.
Single game admissions are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and youth tickets are $5.
More information is available on the Wildcats website.