Several groups who use the Mel Hegland Uniplex won't pay rent this winter. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

rent relief

Free rent for La Ronge Ice Wolves, minor hockey, skating club this winter

Jul 30, 2020 | 5:00 PM

La Ronge councillors have decided to forgive debt owed by the La Ronge Ice Wolves, as well as pause ice fees for the team and other organizations.

According to Mayor Ron Woytowich, the decision will cost taxpayers approximately $20,000 just for the debt owed by the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) team to the municipality. Tens of thousands of dollars could also be lost in future ice fees as the La Ronge Skating Club and La Ronge Minor Hockey won’t have to pay for booked time. Other groups will still have to pay rent, Woytowich said, adding the town makes about $60,000 per year in total.

“Because of COVID, everything that is happening and were not even sure when the ice will be in or how safe people are going to be, we decided to not charge the normal rent,” he said. “There is no rent this winter. No ice fees.”

The decision was welcomed news to Ice Wolves Board Member Marlee Proulx, who was at a regular council meeting Wednesday requesting financial assistance. Aside from asking for past debt forgiveness, she wanted to know from council when their 2020-2021 contract will be signed, as well as guidelines for reopening the facility, sanitization and the number of spectators who will be allowed to attend games.

As a small-market team, Proulx explained the Ice Wolves generate most of its income from fundraisers, which has mostly come to a standstill since the coronavirus pandemic began. For instance, she noted the team earns between $20,000 to $30,000 from partaking in the Elks Fair in July, which was cancelled this year.

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“We don’t want to lose our franchise and, with the COVID pandemic right now, we lost a lot of our fundraising efforts we usually do,” Proulx said. “We have been looking for creative ways to do fundraising, however, this is going to ease some of that burden.”

While the SJHL still has not heard back from the provincial government about returning to play and such issues like rink occupancy, it’s hoped regular season games can begin at 50 per cent seating capacity. The Mel Hegland Uniplex can hold up to 1,300 fans, but about 500 people attended a game on average last season.

Proulx is also hopeful ice will be in the arena before Aug. 24 in time for a hockey camp hosted by the Ice Wolves.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno