Post by chooch on May 9, 2007 9:04:58 GMT -5
Osprey News Network / Osprey News Network
Sports - Wednesday, May 09, 2007 Updated @ 6:26:19 AM
A bevy of Mississauga IceDogs employees touring Jack Gatecliff Arena Tuesday left with the belief the old barn could work for an Ontario Hockey League franchise.
League commissioner David Branch, also present for the afternoon tour, was less than impressed, saying the arena isn't an OHL facility.
"We all recognize it's an older facility and it does not meet the test of what an OHL facility is today," he said.
Branch didn't want to comment if the facility would be good enough as a stopgap measure until a suitable facility is built.
"It would have to be addressed at that point in time if we are to address a proposed transfer and if the team wishes to play out of this arena."
The only thing Branch was bullish about is the desire of the OHL to be in Niagara.
"As a league, we view this region as being an area that: 1) we don't have representation in; and, 2) we have high regard for the rich history and tradition of hockey at all levels in this area. We feel, at some point in time, it would be in the league's best interest to have a presence in this region."
IceDogs owner-in-waiting Bill Burke doesn't feel Branch's concerns about the arena will be an impediment to receiving OHL approval.
"They like the 5,000-seat arenas, so anything less than 5,000 isn't an OHL facility. Is it perfect? No, but we knew that and you have to look past it.
Doubleday Canada Limited
That's why you have entrepreneurs."
Burke has signed a five-year lease with the City of St. Catharines and the city has agreed to do $250,000 in renovations on the dressing- room facilities.
"I'm glad we signed a five-year deal because we're here for five years. And I don't want to go anywhere else. But in five years, hopefully we can make it an OHL facility if that's an issue with the board," Burke said.
Burke can easily see his team continuing to play at Jack Gatecliff Arena beyond five years.
"My plan has always been that I could, but there's certainly pressure from the league and after five years it could be tough.
"But if the team is blossoming and being supported and there's good sponsorship and we have a decent balance sheet it would be pretty hard for the league to say we have to move. That's how I look at it and I don't think it would be fair to me or the city."
Burke is hoping the team is such a success that there will be impetus to build a new arena.
"After three years and things are humming and everyone wants to be in here, I'll be working to doing something like that if I can. But none of the communities have the money. Toronto has no money and you can't all of a sudden expect a new rink."
After touring Gatecliff Tuesday, IceDogs coach Mike Kelly feels the arena could house an OHL squad. Kelly speaks from the background of being involved with OHL teams playing in aging facilities in Windsor and Guelph.
"I'm pretty familiar with older buildings. They have an awful lot of character and you can create a real exciting environment to play in. That said, there's the practical issues that have to be dealt with." The rink will have to meet OHL standards for players and officials amenities, first aid, media requirements, etc.
"I think I'm comfortable, in time, all those things will be able to be put in place. There's always unique challenges dealing with an older building, but there's nothing that can't be overdone," Kelly said.
Burke had exclusive negotiating rights with the IceDogs until April 30, but signed a purchase agreement this week which will see him lose $250,000 if the deal falls through.
He expects the money to purchase the team, reported to be in the neighbourhood of $5 million, will be put in escrow June 16 where it will stay until the deal is approval by the OHL board of governors.
Burke's purchase of the IceDogs from Capital Sports, owned by Eugene Melnyk, can't be considered by the OHL until a purchase agreement is signed and the Mississauga IceDogs' ownership informs the league it has entered into an agreement to sell the franchise, Branch said.
Burke will then be asked to complete an application form and, once submitted, the league would begin its review of the sale.
That review process includes: The OHL's accountant reviewing the business plan, the financial elements around the transaction and Burke himself; the OHL's lawyer going through the legal elements related to the transfer; and finally, a general review.
That general review looks at: the proposed arena facility; the schooling for players; the business community in the contemplated market; the location of the market in relation to existing teams; transportation issues; and, the size of the market, Branch said.
Burke expects the review to be ready in time for the approval at the league's board of governors meeting June 6, but Branch isn't so sure.
"We're running out of time, quite frankly. It could be unrealistic given that we do not yet have an application."
Branch realizes the next board of governors meeting in August would be too late for the IceDogs, but said he wouldn't want to contemplate how the approval process could be expedited if it wasn't done at the June 6 meeting.
"There's too many unknowns at this point to offer an opinion. It wouldn't be fair to the process."
Burke continues to move forward, anticipating approval from the board June 6.
"If I was a betting man, it will be approved on June 6. And I will do everything I can to make sure it is approved on June 6."
Sports - Wednesday, May 09, 2007 Updated @ 6:26:19 AM
A bevy of Mississauga IceDogs employees touring Jack Gatecliff Arena Tuesday left with the belief the old barn could work for an Ontario Hockey League franchise.
League commissioner David Branch, also present for the afternoon tour, was less than impressed, saying the arena isn't an OHL facility.
"We all recognize it's an older facility and it does not meet the test of what an OHL facility is today," he said.
Branch didn't want to comment if the facility would be good enough as a stopgap measure until a suitable facility is built.
"It would have to be addressed at that point in time if we are to address a proposed transfer and if the team wishes to play out of this arena."
The only thing Branch was bullish about is the desire of the OHL to be in Niagara.
"As a league, we view this region as being an area that: 1) we don't have representation in; and, 2) we have high regard for the rich history and tradition of hockey at all levels in this area. We feel, at some point in time, it would be in the league's best interest to have a presence in this region."
IceDogs owner-in-waiting Bill Burke doesn't feel Branch's concerns about the arena will be an impediment to receiving OHL approval.
"They like the 5,000-seat arenas, so anything less than 5,000 isn't an OHL facility. Is it perfect? No, but we knew that and you have to look past it.
Doubleday Canada Limited
That's why you have entrepreneurs."
Burke has signed a five-year lease with the City of St. Catharines and the city has agreed to do $250,000 in renovations on the dressing- room facilities.
"I'm glad we signed a five-year deal because we're here for five years. And I don't want to go anywhere else. But in five years, hopefully we can make it an OHL facility if that's an issue with the board," Burke said.
Burke can easily see his team continuing to play at Jack Gatecliff Arena beyond five years.
"My plan has always been that I could, but there's certainly pressure from the league and after five years it could be tough.
"But if the team is blossoming and being supported and there's good sponsorship and we have a decent balance sheet it would be pretty hard for the league to say we have to move. That's how I look at it and I don't think it would be fair to me or the city."
Burke is hoping the team is such a success that there will be impetus to build a new arena.
"After three years and things are humming and everyone wants to be in here, I'll be working to doing something like that if I can. But none of the communities have the money. Toronto has no money and you can't all of a sudden expect a new rink."
After touring Gatecliff Tuesday, IceDogs coach Mike Kelly feels the arena could house an OHL squad. Kelly speaks from the background of being involved with OHL teams playing in aging facilities in Windsor and Guelph.
"I'm pretty familiar with older buildings. They have an awful lot of character and you can create a real exciting environment to play in. That said, there's the practical issues that have to be dealt with." The rink will have to meet OHL standards for players and officials amenities, first aid, media requirements, etc.
"I think I'm comfortable, in time, all those things will be able to be put in place. There's always unique challenges dealing with an older building, but there's nothing that can't be overdone," Kelly said.
Burke had exclusive negotiating rights with the IceDogs until April 30, but signed a purchase agreement this week which will see him lose $250,000 if the deal falls through.
He expects the money to purchase the team, reported to be in the neighbourhood of $5 million, will be put in escrow June 16 where it will stay until the deal is approval by the OHL board of governors.
Burke's purchase of the IceDogs from Capital Sports, owned by Eugene Melnyk, can't be considered by the OHL until a purchase agreement is signed and the Mississauga IceDogs' ownership informs the league it has entered into an agreement to sell the franchise, Branch said.
Burke will then be asked to complete an application form and, once submitted, the league would begin its review of the sale.
That review process includes: The OHL's accountant reviewing the business plan, the financial elements around the transaction and Burke himself; the OHL's lawyer going through the legal elements related to the transfer; and finally, a general review.
That general review looks at: the proposed arena facility; the schooling for players; the business community in the contemplated market; the location of the market in relation to existing teams; transportation issues; and, the size of the market, Branch said.
Burke expects the review to be ready in time for the approval at the league's board of governors meeting June 6, but Branch isn't so sure.
"We're running out of time, quite frankly. It could be unrealistic given that we do not yet have an application."
Branch realizes the next board of governors meeting in August would be too late for the IceDogs, but said he wouldn't want to contemplate how the approval process could be expedited if it wasn't done at the June 6 meeting.
"There's too many unknowns at this point to offer an opinion. It wouldn't be fair to the process."
Burke continues to move forward, anticipating approval from the board June 6.
"If I was a betting man, it will be approved on June 6. And I will do everything I can to make sure it is approved on June 6."
