The Kindersley Jr. Klippers

Owning a junior hockey team in the SJHL is not an easy way to make money. Teams take turns doing well financially while others struggle. Currently, it is the Klippers turn to struggle. When I was Chaplain of the Weyburn Red Wings I observed they pinched every penny even though the bottom line was doing better than other years; hosting the RBC Cup and winning it made a difference on their bottom line.

Over the years the Town has invested in the Klippers in a variety of ways and Council is still learning how we have invested and how much. As we assess the situation with the Klippers, and Council is still awaiting information to make an informed decision, there are a number of issues to consider; email me if you think of more:

• for some residents, the Klippers enhance their quality of life in Kindersley by allowing them a night out;
• the Klippers may provide a rallying point for the community when they are successful;
• some people assert that the Klippers increase economic activity in the community;
• the Klippers provide a goal for some local hockey players to aspire;

The Klippers represent different things to different people. What is a reasonable return on the community's investment that the Klippers should be demonstrating? Any compromise that is reached between the Town and the Klippers has to responsibly acknowledge that the Klippers are a non-profit business with a large profile which generates lots of passion both for them and against them.

A couple of years ago I was fortunate, with some colleagues, to have lunch with Ken King, the President and CEO of the Calgary Flames. His take on hockey and his perspective on selling hockey was enlightening when he first introduced it; basically he applied his experience selling newspapers to selling seats. Yes, hockey is a product but what the marketing department were selling was a time sensitive product in the form of seats. A lost seat is permanently lost revenue. I was encouraged to hear the Klippers say they want to sell more seasons tickets.

The President of the Klippers, Rod Perkins, suggested that if things don't go well next year the Klippers may not be playing the following year. I think the best way to show that Kindersley supports the Klippers is not through Town relief but through an increase in ticket sales. And yes, I will buy more tickets; for the record, my wife and I will be buying two season tickets. In fact, Council is looking at purchasing advertising from the Klippers as 7 private individuals supporting the team by putting their own money together, rather than in an official capacity with Town funds.

Go Klippers!