With a referendum set for March 11 regarding the construction of a new events centre that would draw a Western Hockey League franchise as its main tenant, that leaves the B.C. Hockey League franchise very much in limbo.
“We’re in a precarious situation,” David LeNeveu, president, governor and part-owner of the Clippers admitted after Day 2 of BCHL board of governors meetings on the mainland on Wednesday. “Obviously, if a WHL team comes to Nanaimo, that could displace the Nanaimo Clippers. There’s been no decision made on that side.
“We’ve been working with the league to protect the league and protect ourselves and everyone involved, but there’s not much to say until March 11 happens. Everything is up in the air until that vote goes one way or another.”
LeNeveu said the team’s mandate is to continue operating as normal: “Because we haven’t been told otherwise.”
But the Clippers’ lease with the City of Nanaimo and Frank Crane Arena ends following this season and their desire to negotiate for 2017-18 has not been met.
A WHL club would obviously supplant the Clippers, who know full well the Harbour City isn’t big enough to support both leagues. A move could be made or the team could choose to fold.
The West Kelowna Warriors have already stated their hopes of moving to North Delta, citing financial losses. The West Kelowna franchise would relocate to Sungod Arena, which desperately wants the club there. And following league meetings Wednesday, sources confirm the Warriors will not be in West Kelowna next season.
“You would never say there’s not room [for the WHL and BCHL in Nanaimo] because it is happening in cities across B.C. — Prince George and Victoria being a couple,” LeNeveu said of the Clippers’ circumstances. “Is that the ideal situation moving forward? No, it definitely wouldn’t. Is that possibility still on the table? Sure it is, but we’re going to be looking to take care of everybody’s organizations in the best possible way looking forward.”
The team, currently stuck between a rock and hard place, has to plan ahead.
“We have to look at all our options of how this is going to best go forward,” said LeNeveu. “For our franchise, and the city of Nanaimo, we are operating as if nothing is changing. We’re working on our season-ticket holders and sponsors, because if we don’t do that and the event centre doesn’t go through, we would be so far behind.
“On the other side, we have to make sure we protect the interests of the league and all our various partners in the league and make sure all our options are explored and that we have contingency plans in place, just like any other business would have in any eventuality.”
The obvious rumour making the rounds is that the Clippers could move to Campbell River, where the ownership group of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League’s Storm have been eying a BCHL franchise for some time.
“We are exploring all our options and that’s something we can’t decide on today,” said LeNeveu. “They are operating a pretty good Junior B program out of there. If a BCHL team went in there, would they want to make improvements? Sure, but that’s not for me to decide.”
LeNeveu said he has not had discussions with Campbell River or the Storm, which operate out of Rod Brind’Amour Arena, which seats roughly 1,000 and would require expansion.
Linda Spooner, owner of the Storm, said the interest may be there down the road, but not at this time. That doesn’t mean someone else in Campbell River couldn’t step in.
“Everyone makes that assumption [of the BCHL moving to Campbell River] because, honestly, on the Island it is the next place to go, right,” she said.
So the Clippers will sit and await the referendum.
ON BOARD: The BCHL did decide to keep the annual league Showcase in Chilliwack for the next three years and have approved a move to increase rosters to 23 from 22.
mannicchiarico@timescolonist.com
Twitter.com/tc_vicsports
