Storm financials better than last year
City council will waive the Grande Prairie Storm’s fee for Bonnetts Energy Centre for the 2024-2025 season and will offer city rinks at a 50 per cent discount for its youth hockey development.
Last year, the city waived Storm’s fees for rinks for youth hockey development, the facility fee for Bonnetts Energy Centre during the 23-24 season, and granted a three-year interest-free payment deferral on a city loan.
“We're in a much better position than we were last year,” said Nicole Menzies, Grande Prairie Storm executive director.
“We've kind of had a record year in terms of income.”
She said the organization has made “significant changes to our operating budget, as well as our plan for increasing fundraising and attracting other sponsors.”
Menzies said an income of about $100,000 is expected for this year, which will be used to pay off debt and loans acquired during the pandemic.
A reduction in travel costs, staff salaries, positions and game day operating costs all amount to the cost-saving measures the team has made.
Changes in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) have been made after five teams left the league mid-season last year to join the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). Menzies said that will work in favour of the Storm as the league is split into north and south divisions, limiting the team's travel time.
“Being in Grande Prairie, we have additional travel that other teams simply don't have, but going back into those two divisions will make it a little bit easier for us as well, and it eases some of the financial burden,” she said.
The league has also reduced the number of games in a season, which means two fewer away games and two fewer home games than last season.
The AJHL will have 12 teams this year. The addition of Devon adds another away location the Storm can travel to on the same day, avoiding costly hotels.
According to the city, about $83,000 in facility fees, rink fees, and staffing costs were gifted to the Storm last year.
Coun. Dylan Bressey moved to have the Storm pay 50 per cent of its ice rink fees for youth development because other organizations in the city are not receiving free city facilities to provide their youth programming.
“I think we should be collecting some revenue for these camps that are happening just like we collect from other sports groups,” he said.
Bressey also noted that during Storm games at Bonnetts, the city receives concession income from the game, so he is fine with having those fees waived as the city still receives some income.
Coun. Wendy Bosch said she believes the Storm should not have to pay for city rinks for youth development, noting she believes it is a unique organization in the city that helps youth looking to aspire to a higher level of sport.
“The Storm has been working really hard, the board and the administration, on tightening up costs, tightening up every aspect of running that business … I feel it’s punishing them for doing a good job.”
Coun. Wade Pilat said giving the Storm the ice space for free could set a precedent.
“There are a lot of sports groups that do camps in our community that make a lot of economic development impact to our community, and so I don't like picking one champion,” said Pilat.
City council also decided that it would partner with the Storm on large events such as the home opener, indigenous night, and the playoff fan festival.
Mayor Jackie Clayton says the partnership does not include any cash contributions but will be used for event promotions and access to city administration for help within the facility.
Jesse Boily, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Town & Country News
