Along with alumni and local businesses, the Olds Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) has announced it is part of the new ownership group set to take over operations of the Olds Grizzlys Junior A Franchise for the upcoming season.
The topic came up for discussion during last week's Olds Sportmen's Recreational Association annual general meeting (June 21), after the Friends of the Grizzlys Society ñ who are now waiting on AJHL approval for the transfer of ownership ñ presented the list of the 15 proposed owners, including Olds minor hockey.
There were questions from OSRA members about whether a financial investment from the local minor hockey group was the best thing for the younger players ñ essentially amounting to ìwhy are we taking money from the children?î
But a press release from OMHA on Sunday (June 25), said the aim of the investment was to protect the program.
ìOur decision to invest along with the ëFriends of the Grizzlys' will help protect our largest revenue stream and will insulate our association against future losses and subsequent fee increases,î read the announcement.
That revenue stream is the concession stand at the Olds Sportsplex, the profits of which go to support minor hockey, including those made during the Junior A franchise's games.
The release confirmed that OMHA would have a ìfinancial commitment for a minority ownership stake,î but said it would come from the organization's long-term savings.
ìMinor hockey fees will not be increased to fund this expense,î said OMHA president Mike Pieper. ìIn fact the idea behind it was to help protect the revenue that we generate out of the concession.î
In addition to the financial investment, the release noted that OMHA would have a representative on the Friends of the Grizzlys Society's board of directors.
Pieper said it's important for minor hockey to have a junior program within the town, not only for the financial benefit, but also for the impact it has on their own players.
ìIt's important to us to have players in town and a team in town, and we wanted to be a part of that,î said Pieper, ìworking with the junior A club and developing players, and working with them for coach mentoring, those type of things and continuing to help them and be a part of that decision making process."
ìWe support the Grizzlys being in town, they are an integral part of the fabric of this community, and we want to be a part of keeping that in town.î
"We support the Grizzlys being in town, they are an integral part of the fabric of this community, and we want to be a part of keeping that in town."MIKE PIEPERPRESIDENT OLDS MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION
