February 26, 2015
Whalers Extend Arena Commitment to 2020
The Niagara Whalers are committed to Port Colborne.
And to prove just that, the team — a member of the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League — has requested a lease extension for Vale Health and Wellness Centre.
The request, which adds three years to an existing three-year lease, was approved with little discussion during Monday night’s city council meeting.
The extension means the Whalers will call the lakeside city facility home until at least Aug. 31, 2020.
“We’re looking at building relationships with the community and our sponsors. We want to show that long-term commitment,” Steve Quinn, the team’s president of hockey operations, said Wednesday.
“We want to show the long-term viability of the team. This is not a one-year deal. We’re here for the longterm.”
Along with providing a sense of commitment, the extension request tells the city it has been able to fulfil the team’s needs, Port Colborne community services manager Harry Hakim said.
“From our standpoint, they’ve come in with a good plan and vision,” he said of the team.
“They’ve really worked to integrate themselves into the community.”
The Whalers’ first season in Port Colborne began last fall and the team has since gotten involved in a number of community events, including the Santa Claus Parade, Port Cares food drive and the recent Sportsfest celebration.
The team has also hosted a number of hockey clinics with Port Colborne Minor Hockey.
“In our view, the first season has been very successful,” Hakim said, crediting the organization for its professionalism and interest in getting involved locally.
Quinn also deemed the first season a success, with an average of 150 to 250 Whalers fans filling seats each game.
The team welcomed players from across the globe, including Russia, the U.K., Australia, the U.S. and other parts of Canada. Several players stayed with billet families in Port Colborne.
“The boys love the community,” Quinn said.
Hakim said the city is “hoping to increase our ice capacity with other organizations this fall,” though he was unable to divulge any further information.
“We’re really excited about a lot of things that are in play now.”
Courtesy of St. Catherines Standard: http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2015/02/25/2020-vision-approved-for-whalers