Ice Hawks want advertising rights

Andrew de Souza

paNOW Staff

The Prince Albert Ice Hawks Junior Hockey club are hoping to obtain some advertising rights at their home rink, the Kinsmen Arena.

The junior club wants to be able to sell advertising in empty slots and around the arena, but they are unable to because of an old agreement between the city and the Prince Albert Raiders. The raiders have exclusive advertising rights to not only the Kinsmen Arena, but also the Stuart Arena and the Art Hauser Centre.

On Tuesday, Ice Hawks general manager Allan Posloski came before council to make his request. He said it would help offset the high cost junior players face to play.

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“We just want to have the opportunity to sell open advertising space that’s currently available in the Kinsmen arena,” said Posloski in an interview after the council meeting. “The Raiders have their board and we don’t have a problem with that at all.

“All we want is to have the city make available other areas that the Ice Hawks, minor hockey or lacrosse can sell advertising and generate revenue for their teams.”
Posloski’s request met with some opposition from council. Counc. Darren Whitehead said he didn’t support it because the Raiders needed all the cash they could get.

“I don’t support your request,” said Whitehead. “The Prince Albert Raiders are community owned and as everybody realizes their financial situation is bad and they need every dime they can.”

According to the Raider’s marketing manager Bruce Vance, the total advertising sales revenue from the Kinsmen and the Stuart facilities is around $15,000, or about one third of the Raider’s revenue.
He said that amount was crucial to the survival of the team.

“We’re battling to keep our heads above water and every little bit helps,” Vance said. “It’s a big number for us when we’re trying to break even year after year.”

He said that the reality was that it was up to the city to decide. As long as they had exclusive rights they would exercise them, but if they city changed its mind they would abide by it.

AGREEMENT TO BE REVIEWED
According to the City of Prince Albert, that agreement is under review, along with many others associated with the Prince Albert Raiders and the Art Hauser Centre.

Previously, the centre was run by an arms-length organization. After it dissolved, the centre came under direct control of the city.

According to recreation manager Jody Boulet, the result is that city must re-evaluate all agreements, including the Raider’s exclusive advertisement rights, and make recommendations to council about possible changes.

Boulet said about the advertisement rights in particular, that the city was determining if they were legally bound to uphold the agreement.

He said the department would be providing a report in November and that ultimately, it would be up to council to decide.

adesouza@rawlco.com