(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jeff D’Andrea

Raider Hockey

‘Somehow we came out of this ahead;’ Raiders GM Hunt at team’s AGM

Feb 4, 2022 | 8:36 AM

As their financial statements reveal, the Prince Albert Raiders did not make a cent in ticket revenue or private box or beverage sales, and many of their revenue streams were hampered due to the pandemic during the 2020-21 season.

But the Raiders did not manage to lose any money that year. In fact, they came out slightly ahead at $25,891.

“Somehow we came out of his ahead,” Raiders general manager Curtis Hunt chuckled during his message to the board during the team’s annual general meeting (AGM) Thursday at the Ches Leach Lounge.

The AGM was delayed from the start of the season due to the pandemic.

The Raiders made $1,074,857 through ticket sales and another $218,685 through box and beverage sales in the 2019-20 season and did not have an opportunity to replicate that as the 2020-21 year was moved to the Subway Hub Centre in Regina.

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That lost revenue was made up for by generosity. The Raiders received $1,081,179 in grants, including the $600,000 WHL Support Grant from the Government of Saskatchewan, and $416,111 from the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) along with others.

“You could just see that it became critical,” Raiders president and governor Gord Broda said about the government grants. “To come out the way we have, call it a break-even or a little bit ahead, it’s fantastic for this community. At one point in time, we were quite concerned that we could have been negative-$1 million or in that magnitude. We’re just thrilled that it’s turned out how it has.”

The Raiders’ community also continued to give the team their hard-earned money, even when they weren’t playing games at the Art Hauser Centre.

Many Raider fans did not accept refunds for their season tickets and allowed the team to keep their payments, and several sponsors did not cancel their contributions either.

Broda said the team worked with the City of Prince Albert to make sure the contributions were considered donations and that people could get tax breaks.

“The support from the community was overwhelming. It was fantastic,” Broda said. “And the sponsors were the same. There were sponsors that gave $2,000, $5,000 that said ‘you know what? You guys need it. We’re okay. We want to help the club.’ The community spirit was overwhelming.”

The Raiders also cut costs and the team’s staff made sacrifices to help the team financially, as well.

The Raiders are in action Friday night as they play the Red Deer Rebels as the Art Hauser Centre.

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Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW