Tough year for Neepawa Natives

Details

Published on Thursday, August 18, 2016

Left to right: Neepawa Natives vice president Cam Tibbett, president Ken Waddel and general manager Myles Cathcart

By Eoin Devereux

The Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press

The past year was not a stellar one for the Neepawa Natives’ bottom line. The Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) club held its annual general meeting on Monday, Aug. 15, at the Yellowhead Centre, where representatives with the team confirmed it had suffered a net financial loss last year of $56,975.

The overall revenues for the club’s 2015-2016 fiscal year totalled $308,687, which was down from the $339,488 that was brought in during the previous season. Meanwhile, expenses also rose from $306,477 to $365,662. These factors combined to increase the team’s overall debt of  $163,605. 

According to the organization’s official financial statements, compiled by Kinley Thomson Chartered Accountants Inc., a combination of factors contributed to the year-end loss. Those factors included a $13,268 bump in the cost of hockey supplies, an increase of $10,304 in billet expenses and a year-over-year rise in ice rental expenses of $8,640. 

Neepawa Natives team president Ken Waddell said that for the 2016-2017 fiscal year, the club will have to cut back on some costs. 

“We’ve cut back a little bit on equipment. We’ve cut back on marketing costs and we’ve cut back on staff costs. On top of that, we’re hoping to do some increasing on the fundraising, which is looking positive at this point. The only way to deal with [the deficit] is to cut costs and raise income. Fortunately, so far this year, we’ve been able to do both,” said Waddell.

Waddell added that the club is considerably ahead on corporate sponsorships, compared to last year. “So, far this year, we are showing a profit,” said Waddell. The team is also hoping to increase participation in the 50/50 game night draws and the cash draw lotto, which sold out last year.

Pay-to-play

In recent years, some junior ‘A’ hockey leagues in eastern Canada have begun switching to pay-to-play models, in which a player is charged some sort of league fee to participate, to ensure the financial viability of the organizations.

During the open forum portion of the AGM, the question was asked whether that model is something the MJHL has examined, as a means of offsetting continual rising operating costs.

Dave Clark, the team’s representative at the league’s board of governors meetings, said that discussions have occurred regarding the option. He noted however, that there was concern from several MJHL teams that its implementation could affect  their ability to attract players. He stressed, however, that other initiatives, such as giving financial responsibilities to players and their families, is a possibility. He cited asking players to help sell tickets for lotteries and other fundraising efforts for the teams as an example.

Local fundraising

The Neepawa Natives confirmed that the Harvest for Hockey initiative will return for another year. The project involves local farm families donating a portion of their crop to help support the operations of the club. Last year, the effort raised over $11,000. Natives board member Cam Tibbett said the club is looking to expand the project this year.

“There is going to be a mail-out to families across the region shortly. Canola in the region is starting to be swathed, so we’re hoping to get moving on this quickly,” noted Tibbett, “For this year, we’ve added something to the project. As part of the donation, all participating farmers will receive a pair of tickets for the Sports Dinner for donating a bushel. And if you donate a hopper of grain, you’ll get an entire table at the Sports Dinner for whomever they wish to bring. There will also be other benefits throughout the course of the season, for their participation. The important thing is to remember, is that it all adds up and goes a long way towards helping to keep the Neepawa Natives hockey club viable.”

Player retention

General manager Myles Cathcart said that the number of returning players to the Neepawa Natives is expected to be very high.

“They’re very positive about coming back. [Defencemen] Jared Pelechaty is out in Seattle right now [trying out for the Western Hockey League’s Thunderbirds.] Whether he comes back right now or not, we don’t know, though he has indicated that he’d like to be back here in Neepawa if he doesn’t make it onto Seattle’s lineup,” said Cathcart. “Overall, the roster is in a good position right now.”

Yellowhead upgrades

Major improvements to the Yellowhead Arena were very well received by the team, as well as its fan base.  The community owned and operated facility completed $100,000 worth of improvements during the summer. On top of that, there were also some new additions made by the team itself to the dressing room, including new carpeting in the adjacent coaches’ office. The club also recently purchased a mobile skate sharpener. 

Election of board

Incumbents Ken Waddell, Cam Tibbett, Myles Cathcart, Mary Ellen-Clark, Mike Hodgins, Ross McBride, Kevin Cook, Rob James, Alan Gillies and Eoin Devereux were all re-elected to the Neepawa Natives board.  Dave Clark will once again serve as Neepawa’s representative on the MJHL’s Board of Governors.

Meanwhile, Darian Major, Trevor Lizotte, Kaiten Critchlow, Daniel McInnes and Mike Bulbeck have decided to step down from the Neepawa Natives board for the 2016-2017 year. Club president Ken Waddell thanked them for their contributions to the organization.