Duane Hicks
The Fort Frances Lakers are asking the town to help them host the Dudley Hewitt Cup next spring.
Fort Frances Lakers Association spokesperson Larry Patrick spoke to council Monday night, requesting they consider the group’s wish list in its 2015 budget deliberations.
Patrick said it will cost $100,000 to host the Dudley Hewitt Cup, which will be held April 28-May 2, 2015 at Ice For Kids Arena.
Sponsors are being actively pursued to help offset the expenses incurred by hosting the tournament, he explained, but the town could help out a great deal if they donated use of the ice.
Patrick said the cost to rent the ice will be close to $4,500.
The Lakers also are asking that council:
•donate Fort Frances souvenirs and memorabilia to give as gifts to the visiting teams;
•allow use of committee rooms, the auditorium, and kitchen at the Memorial Sports Centre;
•allow the Lakers to rent space in the IFK lobby for kiosks; and
•having the mayor attend opening ceremonies.
The biggest source of revenue will be sponsors and what the Lakes make at the gate, Patrick explained, but there still will be a shortfall.
“We can’t do it alone,” he stressed. “That’s why I’m asking for a partnership, if you will, with the town.”
Patrick made it clear the Dudley Hewitt Cup will be a boon for the entire town.
“Fort Frances is a community steeped in hockey greatness going back to the ’52 Allan Cup, many OFSAA championships, etc.,” he noted.
“It has a stellar track record for staging huge events, not just hockey—it could be curling, the bass tournament, whatever.
“Fort Frances is a community that always steps up to the plate and showcases some of the most successful events in Ontario, if not the country, and it’s always the combined efforts of volunteers and the town,” Patrick added.
“The Dudley Hewitt committee, which is already struck and is currently being chaired by Milt Strachan, is going to ensure all i’s are dotted and all t’s are crossed to make sure that every opportunity is availed to enrich the socio-economic fabric of our great community,” he pledged.
“There will be scouts, fans, and other hockey dignitaries from all over Canada coming to our community to watch this event,” said Patrick.
“What an opportunity to showcase not just our hockey team but our town.”
Patrick noted revenues generated by the Dudley Hewitt Cup will have a significant impact to the town, ranging from money spent at the canteen during the event to money spent in the community (i.e., shopping, gas, hotel accommodations, and eating at restaurants).
Speaking of big hockey tournaments, Coun. John Albanese said he attended the OHL’s MasterCard Memorial Cup in London this past May and it was a sight to behold.
“That place was booming,” he remarked. “They had sponsors, beer gardens, everything else.
“Everybody from the hospital to the hotel . . . were bragging how good a time they were having,” added Coun. Albanese.
“Fort Frances—get behind and support the Lakers,” he implored.
Council referred the Lakers’ requests to the Community Services and Administration and Finance executive committees for their recommendation.
Other requests
Also Monday, local resident Carol Wilde asked that the town consider paperless (electronic) billing as an alternative to its customers.
In a letter submitted to council and read out by Fort Frances CAO Mark McCaig, Wilde said this would save on paper and postage.
While the town does not currently have the capability to send invoices out electronically, she added, perhaps it could partner with other municipalities and share the costs of setting up an electronic billing system.
“If there were a way to have the invoices sent out to those who wanted them electronically, it would be a considerable savings for the Town of Fort Frances,” Wilde wrote.
McCaig said the town will look into the cost and value of doing electronic billing, and consider it in the 2015 budget process.
As well, Fort Frances “Meals on Wheels” asked that council continue its financial support and give the program a grant for 2015 in the amount of $19,000.
“Meals on Wheels” is seeking a $500 increase over last year’s grant.
