World Jr. A hockey action is coming to St. Paul, after a majority of town council opted to commit an estimated $28,000 to host an exhibition game in town this December.
Coun. Ken Kwiatkowski said from a marketing standpoint, the chance for St. Paul to host an exhibition game featuring a Canada team, taking on either the U.S. or Russia, would be huge.
“At the end of the day, it may cost us money, but at least we have an opportunity to break even or even make a dollar,” he said.
The Town of Bonnyville will be hosting the World Jr. A Challenge itself, but neighbouring communities were offered the opportunity to host exhibition games. Robb Hunter from the bid committee came to the March 29 Town of St. Paul council meeting to ask if St. Paul would host such an exhibition game, which would feature either Canada versus Russia or Canada facing the U.S.
“You would get all the revenue back from hosting the game,” he told council, citing ticket sales and potentially fundraisers like a 50/50 draw as revenue-generators and positive spinoffs to other businesses in town.
However, when council reviewed the request at its April 11 meeting, interim CAO Holly Habiak said it looked like any proceeds from a 50/50 draw would actually go to Hockey Canada. The Town of St. Paul would also have to pay to feed both hockey teams, advertising for the event, and covering busing to and from the event, she said.
Total seating at the Clancy Richard Arena would accommodate 1,340 people, and council had budgeted to sell 1,000 in tickets, at a cost of $25, she said.
Coun. Edna Gervais was a vocal proponent of bringing the game to town, saying hse regularly sees that “Bonnyville is bringing this in, Cold Lake is bringing this in. Why can’t we ever bring anything in? Because it costs money. If we always expect that everything is for free, we’ll never bring anything in.”
“I tend to agree that any drawing card for the Town is worthwhile and hockey’s a big thing in our community and our region. I think it’s not about the money, but about the coverage and the exposure,” added Coun. Judy Bogdan.
However, Coun. Dwight Wiebe pointed out the Brett Kissel homecoming concert was already going to bring a “priceless” amount of marketing to the town.
“In my mind, I think we could spend $25,000 better than a hockey game.”
Mayor Glenn Andersen also expressed doubts about whether 1,000 tickets could be sold for the event.
“I just don’t think we have the ability to attract,” said Andersen, citing concerns with the timing of the event and the state of the economy as deterrents to bringing people out to the game.
However, with only Wiebe and Andersen opposed, a motion to host the game and associated costs was carried.
