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By Jeromy Corrigan

Storm’s rent & loan to be voted on at Council Monday

Jan 28, 2019 | 5:45 AM

The Grande Prairie Storm will be a topic of conversation at Monday night’s city council meeting.

Council will be voting on two motions involving the club which includes the club paying zero rent for this season and $20,000 rent for next year, along with a $200,000 loan.

Business Manager of the Grande Prairie Storm Eric Hein says the loan would help the hockey team pay off accounts with local businesses and some high-interest debt.

“The city has the opportunity to invest with us. They will get their money back, plus interest. This is another piece of the puzzle for us as we continue to work towards sustainability and improving our relations with all stakeholders involved. We have to run it like a business and make smart business decisions, but it’s not a business. This is a non-profit.”

Hein adds, with zero rent for this year and $20,000 for next year, this will put the club on the right path when it comes to making them sustainable.

“The no rent is not a permanent discussion. We are not looking to do this every year. We’re just looking towards sustainability so we can pay fair market value for rent in the years moving forward.”

As an organization, the Storm has been cutting their expenses according to Hein and are doing a much better job when it comes to managing the club and being fiscally responsible.

The team has also been out in the community more this year which has also paid off for them in the stands.

“We have made a considerate effort to be out in the community. We have really tried to get involved and we have seen it pay off in our attendance. We know it is a two-way street. We know we can not be involved in the community and wonder why people don’t show up to our games,” says Hein.

Attendance is up by more than 10 per cent this year and the team is projected to finish in the black this year.

Both the rent and the loan will be voted on by city council in two separate motions at this evening’s meeting.

by Jeromy Corrigan