Will the Storm stay?
Osoyoos Town Councillor Ted Cronmiller, who also sits on the Recreation Commission Board, said he is a strong supporter of the Osoyoos Storm.
He was responding to last week's Osoyoos Times interview with Storm owner Barry Dewar, who expressed frustration over contract issues and said he was considering selling the team should he be unable to work out a deal with the Town of Osoyoos.
Cronmiller said he and his wife have been season ticket holders for the Osoyoos Storm games for the past five years. He added that he also served on the Junior B Provincial Champion-ship committee in 2005 to assist in bringing that tournament to Osoyoos.
I am a strong supporter of the Osoyoos Storm. I know the Town of Osoyoos wants the team to remain in Osoyoos. When I look at the attendance at the Storm games, I see people from all parts of our community including families, youth, children and retirees; they are all supporting the Storm, he added.
One of Dewar's major issues is that the town took three years to advise him of the terms of an agreed-upon liquor license. Last fall, the town decided to charge the Storm $50 per game to operate a beer garden, a charge Dewar feels is unreasonable and refuses, on principle, to pay.
When Barry decided to bring this issue forward again this fall, the council of the day decided service and consumption of liquor at Storm games would create more work for staff at the Sun Bowl Arena, and therefore they felt an additional fee of $50 should be charged to the Storm for this extra work (i.e., clean up from spillage, extra garbage).
I do not think the few months taken last fall for this issue to go from the Storm to the Parks and Recreation Department and then to Council for a final decision is too long a period, he added.
As for Dewar's comments that the Town of Osoyoos keeps bringing up concerns about how much money Dewar is making, and that he has the best deal in KIJHL, Cronmiller said the use of the Sun Bowl Arena costs money.
It is run by taxpayer funding and user fees. The biggest contributor is the taxpayer. The Osoyoos Storm as a user collecting fees for their entertainment are required to pay a fee for the use of the arena. This fee includes practice time, game time, office space, dressing room space, bus parking, and utilities for washing uniforms and heating the dressing room.
It is my under-standing the Storm do in fact have one of the best deals for use of an arena in the KIJHL which should show Barry we in Osoyoos want him to stay here.
Cronmiller added that at this time, he is not sure what Dewar wants.
He provides a good brand of entertainment that attracts decent crowds to every game. When I compare Osoyoos crowds to some others in the KIJHL we have similar attendance figures. Therefore, I am not sure what I can do for Barry other than not charge any fees at all.
However, having said that, there is something I am willing to do. I am prepared to bring the matter of the liquor license back to council for further consider-ation. I would request council withdraw the fifty dollar fee for the period of one year and then review it after we have determined any added costs from the service of liquor at the Storm games.
Hockey is Canada, particularly in smaller communities. We have all grown up either playing or watching hockey.
I believe today, during the winter months, the Osoyoos Storm are an integral part of our community. They provide excellent entertainment for our community.rnHe added that over the years, he has always seen the players volunteering at many public functions, saying their efforts are a welcome addition to the community.
It is very unfortunate Barry feels some lack of support because we are here and we want the Osoyoos Storm to stay, Cronmiller said.
