MOOSEJAWTODAY.COM — City council has thanked city manager Maryse Carmichael for negotiating a even though she was still new in her role when discussions began.
Carmichael spoke about the new building-use agreement with the WHL club during council’s March 25 meeting, saying negotiations took eight months but turned out well. Moreover, the qualities of professionalism, dedication and willingness to collaborate were instrumental for both parties in achieving their shared goals.
The open dialogue and mutual respect that the groups demonstrated during the talks also laid a strong foundation for their continued partnership, she continued.
“I am confident that with our aligned interests and commitment to excellence, the Warriors organization and the City of Moose Jaw will continue to accomplish great things together in the future,” Carmichael said, adding the community will continue to have WHL hockey for years to come.
The agreement is retroactive to Sept. 1, 2023, and continues until Aug. 31, 2028.
The relationship between the city and hockey club has been “contentious,” but the efforts of the city manager and team board ensured both parties could sign a new deal, which looks good for both organizations, Mayor Clive Tolley said.
“It’s a very exciting time … to be a Moose Jaw Warriors’ supporter. It would be nice to see the building filled throughout the playoffs (to) bring in those necessary revenues that will help with our Moose Jaw Warriors and the Events Centre,” he added.
Coun. Crystal Froese agreed, saying she appreciated hearing about the “aligned interests” that both groups share. Even though it was a “bumpy ride” to reach this point, everyone wants the team to succeed, which can occur through the positive relationships the city shares with the building.
“The Warriors are doing excellent right now, but it’s always important to support the team no matter what’s happening with (them) … ,” she said. “They are a community-owned team and are a really important part of our community.”
Coun. Kim Robinson asked city administration about the Warriors’ capital contribution commitments to supporting the Multiplex and whether the team was up to date with its payments.
City administration replied that the team still has some portion of the pledge left to pay, while the board has said it intends to repay the outstanding amount; the last payment the team made was in 2018.
During the Warriors’ annual meeting in September, the club opted to again defer its $200,000 payment to the Multiplex pledge commitment because of a deficit in the 2022-23 season. To date, the team has made eight of 10 payments totalling $2,100,000.
“I want to thank the city manager for taking the lead on this. We threw you into a huge contract negotiation as soon as you got here,” said Coun. Heather Eby.
“You took that and did a really good job for us. That was a really big thing in my book when you came, that I hoped we could get to this point … ,” she continued, adding she hoped to see fans pack the Events Centre in the coming weeks for the WHL playoffs.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, April 8.
