Post by ysj28 on Dec 3, 2019 14:08:37 GMT -4
The Saint John Sea Dogs have sent a letter to the City of Saint John asking to enter into a discovery phase for the possible sale of TD Station.
The letter, signed by team president and general manager Trevor Georgie, said the team wants to look into how it could diversify the events portfolio, partner with local food operators and turn TD Station into a Centre of Hockey Excellence for New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada.
"Further to the recent reports that the City of Saint John will consider selling TD Station or explore ways to reduce the deficit, the Saint John Sea Dogs would like to enter into a Discovery Phase to determine the strategic benefit of owning the building or entering into a management contract to operate the building," the letter reads.
The team also discusses exploring partnerships with an updated ticketing system provider tol help drive events to TD Station.
"Replacing the current limited system will also significantly improve the overall ability to purchase tickets digitally, thus keeping up with Industry best practices and better serve the region and today’s consumer."
To undergo the discovery phase, the Sea Dogs are asking to have access to more of the arena's information beyond just financial statements.
"It’s public knowledge that a major part of the city and province’s plan is around sustainability and that they are looking at restructuring," Georgie said in a statement to the Telegraph-Journal on Tuesday. "They have identified that there are some items that run a deficit, including the regional facilities, and that includes our home, TD Station.
"We are ready to roll up our sleeves and work with the city to overcome some of their challenges and help find a path forward."
'Everything is on the table'
The letter was not included in Saint John city council's package on Monday, but council is currently in budget deliberations where all options are being discussed.
"Everything is on the table in terms of the reviews," said Saint John Mayor Don Darling. "The agencies, boards, commissions, aquatic centre, TD Station – all of that stuff has to be on the table to look at all options."
"We have to be constantly looking at how we operate the city of Saint John and get the best value to taxpayers. So if there is a more efficient way to run the aquatic centre, and we can reduce that deficit, and we can drive more value for taxpayers money, we should do it."
He said this isn't a journey of just one year to balance the budget, but rather a yearly discussion for decades to come for the city to "reach it's potential."
Councillor Gary Sullivan, who serves on the Harbour Station Commission, said the city should be open to all possibilities.
"Right now we should be looking into anything," he said. "I would hope that if we're going that direction, it would be an open process."
He pointed to the newly opened Irving Oil Field House, which the city donated money to building, but doesn't have to worry about running.
"I think that's a good model."
-with files from Barbara Simpson
The letter, signed by team president and general manager Trevor Georgie, said the team wants to look into how it could diversify the events portfolio, partner with local food operators and turn TD Station into a Centre of Hockey Excellence for New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada.
"Further to the recent reports that the City of Saint John will consider selling TD Station or explore ways to reduce the deficit, the Saint John Sea Dogs would like to enter into a Discovery Phase to determine the strategic benefit of owning the building or entering into a management contract to operate the building," the letter reads.
The team also discusses exploring partnerships with an updated ticketing system provider tol help drive events to TD Station.
"Replacing the current limited system will also significantly improve the overall ability to purchase tickets digitally, thus keeping up with Industry best practices and better serve the region and today’s consumer."
To undergo the discovery phase, the Sea Dogs are asking to have access to more of the arena's information beyond just financial statements.
"It’s public knowledge that a major part of the city and province’s plan is around sustainability and that they are looking at restructuring," Georgie said in a statement to the Telegraph-Journal on Tuesday. "They have identified that there are some items that run a deficit, including the regional facilities, and that includes our home, TD Station.
"We are ready to roll up our sleeves and work with the city to overcome some of their challenges and help find a path forward."
'Everything is on the table'
The letter was not included in Saint John city council's package on Monday, but council is currently in budget deliberations where all options are being discussed.
"Everything is on the table in terms of the reviews," said Saint John Mayor Don Darling. "The agencies, boards, commissions, aquatic centre, TD Station – all of that stuff has to be on the table to look at all options."
"We have to be constantly looking at how we operate the city of Saint John and get the best value to taxpayers. So if there is a more efficient way to run the aquatic centre, and we can reduce that deficit, and we can drive more value for taxpayers money, we should do it."
He said this isn't a journey of just one year to balance the budget, but rather a yearly discussion for decades to come for the city to "reach it's potential."
Councillor Gary Sullivan, who serves on the Harbour Station Commission, said the city should be open to all possibilities.
"Right now we should be looking into anything," he said. "I would hope that if we're going that direction, it would be an open process."
He pointed to the newly opened Irving Oil Field House, which the city donated money to building, but doesn't have to worry about running.
"I think that's a good model."
-with files from Barbara Simpson
