A team in need of a vote of confidence

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Published on Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Neepawa Natives hold AGM

Photo by Eoin Devereux

The Neepawa Natives annual general meeting was held on Wednesday, Aug. 8 at the Neepawa Public Library.

By Eoin Devereux

Neepawa Banner & Press

The 30th season of the Neepawa Natives in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) could be one of the most important in the franchise’s history, or it could be one of the last. Whichever one it turns out to be will be entirely up to the community.

The junior “A” hockey club held its annual general meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, Aug. 8 at the Neepawa Public Library.  During the session, board representatives confirmed that the team had suffered a net financial loss last season of $48,376. That adds to the team’s overall long-term debt, as it now stands at $210,685.

According to the organization’s official financial statements, which are compiled by Kinley Thomson Chartered Accountants Inc., the overall revenue for the club’s 2017-2018 fiscal year totaled $365,370. That number is down from the $409,119 generated the previous season. A huge factor in that number includes a $33,651 drop in advertising and sponsorships and $11,872 decline in game revenue.

Meanwhile, expenses also rose year-over-year, from $408,375 to $413,746. The only notable increase there saw fund-raising expenses go up $19,099, from $81,164 in 2016-2017, to $100,263 in 2017-2018.

After the review of the financials, board president Ken Waddell noted that the Neepawa Natives were bringing forward a call to action for members of the community to help, in any way, to keep the franchise viable.

“The board itself has made some changes in an effort to keep the team viable. One of which is the travel fee, which will help. Although our costs are going to go up due to the need to lease a team bus this season. There will be less uncertainty, however, as the cost will be fixed and we won’t need to worry about repairs or other unexpected issues,” noted Waddell. “We’re obviously trying very hard to increase sponsorships. We’re also pushing to increase the ticket sales. We need to sell out our lottery. We need to sell out our Sports Dinner, which we haven’t done in the last few years. We need people to step up and support the team in any way they can. The long-term viability of the team depends on how many people are willing to step up and help backstop the debt. That’s what’s happening in other communities and it’s happening at far higher debts than even what we’re dealing with. So, that is a possibility, but it’s not one we want to face.”

Election of board members

Incumbents Ken Waddell, Cam Tibbett, Mary Ellen Clark, Ross McBride, Kevin Cook, Bill Syrik, Rob James and Derek Pearson were all re-elected to the Neepawa Natives board. Debra Kasprick and Ward Szucki were elected to the board. A number of people have also stepped forward to be in a support role to the board although they won’t be board members as such. Current board chair, Ken Waddell said, “ We have a large number of volunteers and workers but attending a monthly board meeting isn’t high on most peoples’ wish list. That said, we have a great group of volunteers and workers.”

Departing board members include Dave Clark, Mike Hodgins and Alan Gillies who have stepped away from their positions with the board.

The team’s next MJHL board of governors member  will be elected at the next board meeting.