The relocation of an NOJHL franchise to Timmins led to a tempestuous discussion at city hall on Monday night.
The city says the Timmins Rock hockey club is behind in payment for ice rental fees and renovation costs at the McIntyre Arena by $48,265 dollars.
They moved before last season from nearby Iroquois Falls due to both the potential of a larger market, as well as the anticipated economic fallout of the closure of the town's major employer, the Resolute mill.
However, not long after the club announced the move to Timmins, the town secured a team of its own through a separate relocation, this time from Mattawa.
The move had a costly impact on the team's bottom line, said Mayor Steve Black.
"The hockey club came to us to discuss a potential amendment to the agreement, in light of some of the costs they have seen in year one that have caused them to not keep up with their ice-time bills within the city of Timmins. There was a large cost in re-branding the team, and purchasing all the new materials for startup in year one, versus the former franchise, which they don't anticipate seeing in the years ahead," said Black.
"So they have asked to kind of phase in what they are owing over a three-year period, in payments that would start either tonight or have already started if council supports this."
This agreement would also see any missed payment immediately placed on the nearest council agenda for discussion.
Councillor Noella Rinaldo said she was uncomfortable with the timing of the decision. She said she's already heard from other hockey teams who say its unfair to let the Rock off the hook, when they have to make their payments on time, twice a year.
"I think what it is, is more the communication part of it. Why did it take so long for them to come up with a plan to pay us back, and to let us know they were paying us back?" she said.
"I'm uncomfortable in this because I'm kind of anticipating we're going to see this again in six months. At what point do we put our foot down?" added Rinaldo.
Black said that the club perhaps thought public interest would be greater in the team, but emphasized the significance of one-time startup costs such as new uniforms that will not affect the team's bottom line going forward.
The Timmins Rock, despite underwhelming crowds on weekdays, had the second highest total attendance in the 12-team Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, and secured the highest-attended game in the league this season.
"We're losing a bit of money here, and I don't think the taxpayers should be held accountable," said Rinaldo. "I'm not happy with it. I think it went on too long."
Councillor Andrew Marks echoed her sentiments.
"In good faith, the City of Timmins entered into an agreement that has not been followed or adhered to. I am a supporter of Timmins Rock. I've purchased my dad his father's day gift, a season's pass, and I've spent my $200 for this coming year. It's out of my bank account and into theirs. I have a problem with amounts of money owing from last year, along with some lingering concerns about the legacy that this hockey team had in another community. So I am not in favour of changing the agreement, I want the money that is owed to the City of Timmins. I don't want to set any kind of precedent going forward with this organization or anybody else who we enter into agreements with," said Marks.
"It's due. It's ours. It's owing."
Councillor Joe Campbell had a lot more faith in the people running the team.
"I don't think there's any advantage tonight to this council, to not support them. I'm not supporting a giveaway here, we're not going to 'give them' $50,000. They're going to pay us, and they're going to pay us with a plan they submitted," he said.
"We're giving them a limited time to get their house in order, so that we can have a high class hockey organization as a prime tenant in our arena, that's the way I look at it," said Campbell.
The Timmins Rock celebrate a victory. Andrew Autio for TimminsToday Councillor Rick Dubeau felt it would look poorly on council to drive a stake through the club at this point.
"If council doesn't have confidence in the team, then the community won't have confidence in the team. We have to give them a chance to succeed," he said.
Councillor Walter Wawrzaszek suggested an amendment which would see the Rock pay back the money with 1.25-percent interest. He says he is a supporter of the team who has purchased tickets, but said he must be accountable to the taxpayers who elected him.
"I'll stand behind them, but I expect them to pay some interest on this money, just like any other taxpayer out there" he said.
Council unanimously passed Wawrzaszek's tweak to the amendment.
Timmins Rock President Scott Marshall was in attendance for the discussion, but did not address council.
