The Winnipeg Jets decision to keep its AHL franchise in St. John's, N.L. for another season shouldn't impact the timeline for Thunder Bay's proposed event centre, says this city’s manager.
The St. John's Ice Caps, which could move to Thunder Bay if the event centre is built, are staying in Newfoundland until the end of 2016 after an extension was signed earlier this week.
Thunder Bay City manager Tim Commisso said True North Sports and Entertainment chairman Mark Chipman, the group that owns the Jets, told the city the extension was coming.
The group has always been open about its decisions Commisso said.
While True North is part of the consortium for the proposed event centre, other cities like Fargo and Kansas City have also been named as potential cities for the Jets' AHL team in an effort to get it closer to Winnipeg. There's also rampant speculation the league plans to create a Pacific Division in the next two years, which could leave a number of east coast AHL cities scrambling to find replacement affiliation agreements and teams.
"The reality of it is that we are in competition," Commisso said. "We'd be naive if we didn't think that."
Commisso said the city has been clear that it won't be pressured into ramping up its timeline for an event centre. If the city gets the funding in place and the timelines match then it could be a good opportunity.
"I do believe when they say Thunder Bay is very attractive for them because it's so close and they have the television rights," Commisso said.
"But they're not going to wait forever."
Even without an AHL team, Commisso said the Lakehead Thunderwolves hockey team shouldn't be underestimated as an anchor tenant. There were at least four other teams that expressed interest in the city as well.
City council will gets its first look at the final report on the event centre Sept. 15. It includes more technical details, an updated business plan, a traffic and parking study and a guaranteed maximum cost.
"It's all in there," Commisso said adding he didn't want to reveal too much of the report before council has a chance to see it.
After a public meeting Sept. 24 and another look by council near the end of the month, the city should be ready to officially ask the federal and provincial governments for funding. The city is hoping those decisions will be made by March.
