Duane Hicks
Plans are underway for Fort Frances to host the 69th-annual OFSAA boys’ hockey championships next March, and the town officially has been asked to be a sponsor.
“It has been 11 years since OFSAA was last in Fort Frances and as many of us remember it was a fabulous event for our community,” both on the ice and for the community as a whole, Mike Allison, sponsorship co-chair of the OFSAA Hockey 2017 committee, told council last night.
“We feel the time is right for Fort Frances—one of the premier hockey towns in all of Canada, with one of the premier high-school hockey programs in Ontario, to host the tournament in front of our hometown fans again,” he added.
“We only hope, that like in Ottawa this past March, the Muskie boys’ hockey team will be able to hoist the trophy and put gold medals around their necks once again, in front of their hometown fans,” Allison said.
It’s been almost a year since the OFSAA Hockey 2017 committee, led by Bob Miller, has been putting the pieces together for the tournament.
And before everyone knows it, 16 teams, 320 players, 90 coaches, managers, and trainers, along with many families of the teams, will be converging on Rainy River District next March.
The committee expects close to 500 people will be sleeping, eating, and spending time and money in Fort Frances during that time.
“During the five days of the tournament, we estimate that close to $500,000 will be spent in Fort Frances by people from outside of our district,” noted Allison.
“Our all-in estimate budget, based partly on figures from 2006, is approximately $66,000-$72,000 for a 16-team tournament,” he added.
“If the tournament was to be expanded to a 20-team tournament, similar to 2006, we would expect a larger budget but also a higher return for Fort Frances.”
The major expenses include ice rental, officials (referees), the OFSAA banquet (which will be attended by 500-600 people), advertising, and the tournament program.
The committee’s sponsorship target is $50,000.
In 2006, the Town of Fort Frances committed $5,000 towards the tourney, which was put towards the purchase of ice rental at the Memorial Sports Centre.
The 2017 committee would follow a similar path with any in-kind donation from the Town of Fort Frances, noted Allison.
The committee also would like the town to set aside the ice time needed to host the all-Ontarios (from Sunday, March 19-Thursday, March 23).
And it would like the mayor and/or council to participate in the opening ceremonies.
“We acknowledge the challenges municipalities face when providing funding for events such as OFSAA, but we are encouraged by the fact that the Town of Fort Frances and the community have strongly supported community endeavours like this in the past,” said Allison.
“We believe that the benefits to Fort Frances to be—in your own words—‘Boundless,’” he concluded.
Coun. June Caul said she looks forward to OFSAA here.
“I think it’s awesome we’re going to host this,” she enthused.
“Having a son who did win gold, this kind of tournament is near and dear to my heart, and I certainly support you,” added Coun. Caul.
“I just want to know when I can buy my tournament pass?”
Allison said passes will be on sale before Christmas.
Council referred the request to the Administration and Finance executive committee for its recommendation, with input from the Community Services executive committee.
The OFSAA Hockey 2017 committee is offering various sponsorship packages (platinum, gold, silver, bronze, etc.), with benefits to each.
Depending on the level of sponsorship, the perks include OFSAA tournament passes, Muskie boys’ 2016-17 season passes, OFSAA banquet tickets, admission to a special “Skate with Muskies” event, and much more.
Tax receipts for corporate or personal donations will be issued by the Muskie Blueline Club.
For more information on OFSAA Hockey 2017 or to make a donation, contact Miller at 275-7125 or Allison at 274-4023.
