City contemplating Allan Cup sponsorship

Fort St. John City Council says it will wait to see if the City will sponsor next year’s Allan Cup.

The Allan Cup committee submitted a request to council to provide $178,000 in-kind contribution. This would include the North Peace Arena operational costs valued at $62,000, Capital improvements worth $110,000 and additional maintenance and ice fee waivers valued at $7,500.

However, Director of Facilities & Protective Services Jim Rogers explained to Mayor Lantz that the city was not involved in the planning process.

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Mayor Lantz says the committee should have originally submitted a budget with the request.

Now, the capital improvements would benefit the arena long-term. The money would go towards things like extra lighting, press box upgrades and safety netting. Rogers says these upgrades have been on the city’s to-do list for a while now.

The improvements are mandatory to host an event like the Allan Cup.

But, Lantz says he feels that the city is suddenly being forced to perform these upgrades.

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City Council tabled their decision until a detailed budget is submitted by the committee. A decision will likely be made at the next Council meeting scheduled Tuesday, October 13th.

The Fort St. John Senior Flyers will be hosting the 2010 Allan Cup in the City from April 19th – 24th of next year. It will be broadcasted nationally from the North Peace Arena.