The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page - April 21, 2009
POSSE ELECT NEW DIRECTORS
What they lacked in numbers did not truly reflect the enthusiasm shown at the April 15th Annual General Meeting of the Princeton Posse Junior Hockey Club Society.
"It's disappointing there aren't more people here tonight," stated Club President Stan Turner who noted there hadn't been a general meeting for quite some time because, "we got to a point where the team and coaching was going well and we decided we didn't need to."
Turner then indicated he would be stepping down and leaving the club executive after having been involved since 2002.
The Princeton Posse came into being when the community purchased the Enderby franchise from then owner Jim Harrison for $35,000.
Turner pointed to the important role the team has played in Princeton, "It's something to cheer for and quite an economic stimulant for the community," the majority of which is generated in the winter months, typically a slower time of year.
Turner also pointed out the importance of volunteers to the success of the team, "The team wouldn't exist if it wasn't for them."
Turner also thanked Head Coach Dale 'Duner' Hladun for providing the guidance and stability the team needed in recent years.
A look at the team ledger from June 30, 2008 to March 31, 2009 showed income totaled just under $211,000.00 with expenses topping $228,000.00.
Compared to previous years the numbers showed revenue from 2007/08 was $240,000.00 and expenses were just under $221,000.00 with numbers from 2006/07 showing income at $176,000.00 and expenses equaling $175,000.00.
In reference to the financial status of the community-owned hockey club, Turner made it clear.
"Obviously our costs have gone up and our income has gone down."
Turner suggested it would be a big issue for a new executive to examine.
"Raising funds will be crucial for a smaller team like ours."
The bylaws in the Posse Constitution allow for a total of eight Directors serving staggered two-year terms. Four Directors have a year left in their current term (Ted Coyne, Lorna Coyne, Jim Manion and Rob Hicks).
Linda Hodgson and Steven Yee were re-elected with newcomers Dean Johnston and George Elliott filling the remaining seats. The Directors at an upcoming meeting will choose a President.
Two changes to the team bylaws were passed at the April 15th meeting. The first one was to move the Annual General Meeting from November to April. The second was to appoint a seat on the Board of Directors to representation from both the Town of Princeton and the Regional District (Electoral Area H).
DUNER UNRAVELS THE MYSTERY
Any idea what the Princeton Posse brings to town?
Team Head Coach Dale 'Duner' Hladun crunched some numbers at the April 15th club AGM and made it clear the Junior B Hockey Club feeds a lot of fuel into the local economic engine.
"Your return on investment is this," Hladun explained.
"You spent $35,000 on a team that brings $600,000 to the town." Hladun didn't just pull that figure out of thin air.
He presented a chart that detailed estimates of revenues generated during an average hockey season and included such things as players fees, schooling fees, food, travel and accommodation costs during games for visiting teams and parents. Those figures totaled $318,000.00.
He then calculated that the spring hockey tournament generated $67,240.00 and two hockey camps brought in an additional $95,800.00 bringing the total revenue generated by having the Princeton Posse in the community at $579,100.00.
Hladun says these camps assist him a great deal in recruiting players to the local team along with the fact that Princeton is a good community with a solid fan base. The quality of the schooling available here is another plus along with the integrity of the league the team is a part of.
Hladun says there are a few things that have also hurt the team including the limited post-secondary school options and lack of employment opportunities for the older players.
Hladun also feels the local minor hockey association will eventually feed local players into the system but has to be cautious when making those decisions.
"We've got to get some local kids on the team in the future, but you can't just sign someone because they have the right postal code."
One of the most interesting observations Hladun shared concerned the status of the community-owned hockey club in its hometown.
"Weirdly enough, the town is still only this big and the team is still a mystery to a lot of people."
