Wallaceburg Lakers AGM Dishes On New Owners, “Disgraceful” Arena

Tuesday night’s annual general meeting for the Wallaceburg Lakers was much quieter than some expected, despite an early disagreement between the Lakers president and Wallaceburg Minor Hockey president.

With 27 in attendance, including board members and executive, the pending sale of the Jr C club was a hot topic.

Lakers President Jim McCrea formally confirmed the acceptance of a sale offer from a “consortium”.  McCrea confirmed the Lakers are staying put, with a clause into the agreement to keep the team in Wallaceburg for a minimum of ten years, with no way to move the club. McCrea says the offer is pending and accepted. Conditions the Lakers have put on the sale have been met but the deal is not yet finalized. McCrea says the deal should be officially announced in a week’s time, along with names of those involved. Names have not yet been released due to legal restrictions.

“We’ve had our legal team look at the deal and they can’t find anything wrong,” said McCrea.

Responding to speculation that a potential buyer(s) may be from outside of Chatham-Kent, McRea said it shouldn’t matter where the financial backer is from.

“Unfortunately, local business or factories can’t financially support this team,” said McCrea, pointing to economical issues of our times.

Fielding a question from the crowd in regards to the incentive for the new owner, Jim pointed to business sense and a tax write-off, as well as a life-long connection to hockey.

“Personal pride is a big part of this,” said McCrea. “They want to win a championship. In their words – beat Essex.”

The Lakers prez also tried to put worries of a Tecumseh involvement to rest. With Tecumseh trying, and failing, to bring a Jr C team into the Great Lakes Junior C league, local questions have risen regarding the possibility of a new owner moving the Lakers to Tecumseh. McCrea pointed to the ten year agreement in place and added that the Lakers have actually turned down offers to those possibly involved in a Tecumseh team.

McCrea warned that the current deal may be the only way to avoid losing the team to Tecumseh or elsewhere. With prior financial issues and a lack of on ice pedigree, the potential for the OHA to see more value in the team elsewhere is a real possibility, according to Jim.

“We have to survive by proving to be valuable,” he said. “With the new agreement in place, we remain local and viable.”

The Lakers can buy the team back from the new owners for $1 after five years, according to the current deal.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

• McCrea deemed Wallaceburg’s Memorial Arena “the worst facility in Chatham-Kent”. He is meeting with municipal representatives for an arena walk through in regards to possible changes and upgrades. The arena was compared to the Sydenham Campus of the CKHA, noted as a facility that is in disrepair and won’t have much of a future without change sooner rather than later.
• The Lakers will be debt free once the new deal is finalized
• Ice is being installed early this year, with the Lakers able to use their own arena for training camp. In prior years, Wallaceburg had to hold camp in competitor’s arenas. Many times, the Lakers would lose players to other clubs due to scouts in the stands at other arenas.
• The Jr C league will create new draw area boundaries this season, beginning May 28. The Lakers, and all Great Lakes Junior C teams will have the ability to draw and sign players from outside of their own area, expanding to the entirety of the Jr C loop.
• The Lakers are looking for billet families interested in housing Lakers players. If you are interested, contact Lakers General Manager Ritch Kanally – e-mail oldkanzz@gmail.com or call 519-792-4423
• The Lakers will revert back to their prior “serpent” logo with new jerseys revealed at the 2016-17  home opener
• Wallaceburg Minor Hockey and the Lakers discussed working more hand in hand going forward with reps from each board possibly sitting on the other.
• The Lakers have been paying off ice fees dating back to 2008. The executive has cut down a $35,000 unpaid bill to a current balance of $7,000. Ice for one season is approximately $25,000
• Only two executive positions were open to be filled this year, due to 2-year appointments last season. Mary McLaughlin was elected as secretary. McLaughlin took over mid-way through last season. Sandy Williams was elected treasurer. Greg Gorski remains Vice-President with Bob Taylor recently named Assistant Vice-President. Shane Pollock remains the Fundraising Director with Tom McLaughlin manning sponsorships
• New executive members are welcome to join the club at any time