Creston Valley Thunder Cats president Bob Gollan presented a financial report to the Creston Valley local services committee on Monday, saying that the loss of concession revenues will leave the club about $2,500 in the hole for the 2012-13 season.
In the absence of a concession kitchen since renovations to the arena foyer were undertaken, the Thunder Cats were selling pop, chips and candy, netting $200-$300 per game. Now, with the concession open and being operated by A Break in Time Caffé, the club loses that revenue.
“Don’t get me wrong,” Gollan said. “I agree with the decision made to operate the concession in this way. But we need those revenues to be made up so we don’t go into debt.”
Regional District of Central Kootenay Area B director John Kettle ($1,000) and Area A director Garry Jackman ($750) agreed immediately to help with grants to cover the shortfall, while Area C director Larry Binks and Cresotn Mayor Ron Toyota said they would take the issue back to their constituencies.
Gollan said the lack of concession revenues should be a factor in the team’s ice rental agreement because Thunder Cats fans are the largest concession users.
“We have an obligation to the hockey team to make this work,” Kettle said. “Without the Thunder Cats we would have to raise user fees or taxes to cover our costs for this facility.”