BONNYVILLE – When it comes to the best of the best in Junior A level hockey, it doesn’t get any better than the Canadian Junior Hockey League’s (CJHL) Centennial Cup championship tournament, formerly known as the RBC Cup.
Hockey Canada and the CJHL have approached the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs Board to submit a bid to host the National Jr. A Championships for either 2024 or 2025 at the Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre (C2).
The Pontiacs successfully hosted the RBC Cup in 2016. However, Ron Rusnak, the president of the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs noted that “the newly formatted tournament comes with a larger commitment from the host team and committee, both operationally and financially.”
As part of the bid requirements, the host committee is responsible for providing travel, accommodation and daily stipends for meals for each visiting team during their time in Bonnyville.
This creates a large financial obligation for the hosting committee. As such, the Pontiacs Jr. A organization is requesting a letter of commitment from the MD of Bonnyville and the Town of Bonnyville for $175,000 each, plus half the facility costs accrued at the C2 for the entirety of the 11-day event, if they are successful in their bid.
Rusnak noted that it would be the organization’s preference to host the 2025 Centennial Cup tournament, which would feature league champions from all nine member leagues of the CJHL, as well as the host team.
Both councils discussed the request on Jan. 10 during their regular council meetings.
In the end, both the MD and Town council approved the request to commit $175,000 and half of the C2 facility costs pending approval of the hockey club’s bid, but questions as to whether the event would create an equal economic benefit for the region were asked.
Councils discuss request
The MD council was the first to decide whether it would support the Pontiacs bid to host the national event.
During the council meeting, Coun. Ben Fadeyiw questioned whether the MD would see an economic return from the tournament that would be comparable to the investment made by the municipality.
“I'm definitely OK with splitting the cost of the C2 since it's half ours. But again, there's no economic value to the MD of Bonnyville to a point,” said Fadeyiw, adding the tournament both “does and doesn't” benefit the MD.
In regard to economic development, Coun. Don Slipchuk agreed that the MD would not see as large of a return as the town, but it would benefit the community’s hockey players and would be a great opportunity to showcase and promote the municipality.
Coun. Mike Krywiak added that hosting the National Jr. A Championships is anticipated to generate over $2 million worth of business to the area.
Coun. Josh Crick raised concerns over the uncertainties of the facility costs, other potential expenses and the value the tournament would generate for the MD.
“I know they're saying that a bunch of money is going to come into the MD through that but... most of that's going to end up going to the town,” said Crick. “I struggle with this one – I think there's a lot of people who would enjoy it, but that's a lot of money that we're talking about spending over 10 days. I'm not really sure if it's worth it.”
In the end, MD council approved the request. All council members present at the vote, except Crick, voted to support the letter of financial commitment.
Later that evening, Town council also discussed the request.
Due to pecuniary interest in the matter, Coun. Neil Langridge had to excuse himself from council chambers during the discussion and vote as he is the associate general manager for the Jr. A Pontiacs team.
Coun. Byron Johnson, who is also the chair of the C2 board of directors, said that hosting the national event would be a great way to highlight the recent improvements at the C2.
“It's an excellent opportunity to bring in a lot of visitors into the town, it would be a good economic boost, and it definitely puts us on the national stage,” said Johnson.
Mayor Elisa Brosseau added, “This is a great organization right here in our town. So, I can't see why we wouldn't support something like this at this cost.”
Based on totals from the 2016 National Championships, the Town estimates that half of the facility costs for a future tournament would total about $38,500.
Council was unanimous in approving a letter of financial commitment for the total amount of $213,500 “to be included in the 2024 budget to be funded from any surplus from 2022 or 2023 or the General Operating Reserve.”
The proposed championship dates for 2024 are May 9 to 19. For 2025, the dates being proposed are from May 8 to 18.
The Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs Board will be notified in March as to whether they are successful in their bid.
Rusnak also informed the councils that any profit from the tournament would be put toward a legacy project to help enhance the C2.
“Our goal is to run a successful event both on and off the ice that will leave a lasting impression on the facility, organization, and entire region as whole and to ensure that profits made during this event are allocated to our legacy projects,” wrote the Jr. A Pontiacs’ president.
