Skip to content

LETTER: AHL Manitoba Moose in Winnipeg looks long term

Hockey fans in Thunder Bay might like to know what's happening to the Manitoba Moose, the AHL hockey team that was considering coming to Thunder Bay. Well they have averaged close to 7,000 fans for their first four home games.

Hockey fans in Thunder Bay might like to know what's happening to the Manitoba Moose, the AHL hockey team that was considering coming to Thunder Bay.


Well they have averaged close to 7,000 fans for their first four home games. They are playing in the MTS Centre along with the Winnipeg Jets.

True North owns both teams along with the MTS Centre and the Ice Plex, the teams practice facility. If the Jets need to call up a player from the Moose it is very convenient and cost effective to have both teams in the same city.

It appears True North has made the right decision and manager Ken Cheveldayoff has stated they want to keep the Moose in Winnipeg for the long term.

Meanwhile city hall is exploring plan B for a new Event Centre here in Thunder Bay, which would have Lakehead University as the anchor tenant. Unfortunately Lakehead University is little more than a minor tenant with only about 20 home games a year and a season that is over by the middle of February.  The city would be lucky to be able to turn the lights on from the revenue this would produce.

One councillor told me he informed the mayor that perhaps Junior B could be another tenant.

Really? 

The city's Junior A team the Thunder Bay North Stars only draw several hundred fans at the Fort William Gardens and are rumoured to be headed to the Port Arthur Arena in the future as the rent is too high at the Gardens.

What is driving City Hall to keep pursing this Event Centre with no business plan and no major tenant?

There is no demand for a new facility and all the media polls along with the Ipsos Reid poll have indicated that it is not a high priority among most city taxpayers.

It is time to move to plan C which would scrap plan B and put this project on hold indefinitely.  Perhaps in less than three years when the city holds its next municipal election it could be on the ballot.

Raymond A. Smith- Chairman
The Concerned Taxpayers of Thunder Bay


 





push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks