The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page - April 28, 2009
THE PUCK STOPS HERE!
The first meeting of the 2009/10 Princeton Posse Board of Directors was April 21st at Riverside Centre and it was a long one where a lot of territory was covered.
First on the agenda was the need to define Club officers. Jim Manion was appointed President with Ted Coyne Vice President. Lorna Coyne returns as Secretary with Brenda Engel Treasurer.
Posse Head Coach Dale 'Duner' Hladun will represent the team at two upcoming league meetings. The first KIJHL meeting is slated for April 26th in Castlegar with the second, the KIJHL AGM, on June 6th and 7th in Nelson. Posse Vice President Ted Coyne will likely attend the second meeting with Hladun.
A report on damage to the Posse lounge and dressing room was submitted by Assistant Coach Kevin Robillard. The structure suffered severe fire damage early April 6th as part of a series of deliberately set fires.
In addition to an estimated $50,000+ damage to the structure, Robillard estimated another $3,000 in fire damage to assorted pieces of gear required by players. He also determined another $10,000 in costs to replace equipment worn out from regular use including jerseys, gloves and helmets.
The community-owned hockey team will concentrate efforts on a series of fundraising projects in the off-season with a goal of raising $300,000.00 to cover operating expenses in the next year.
The Posse has already partnered with Princeton Rodeo Club to assist with a dance May 9th (Rodeo weekend) and has had marginal success hosting bingo on Thursday nights.
A three-pronged marketing program was discussed with George Elliott appointed Marketing Manager. Steven Yee will concentrate on sponsorships and season ticket promotions with Shelly Carlson focussing on fundraising.
The club executive views this coming season as a Ore-building' season with a draft business plan to be adopted at a future meeting along with very clear job descriptions for volunteers involved in the organization.
The group will also explore ways to attract more volunteers, or to recruit assistance from other community members to sit on sub-committees in an advisory board format providing input and feedback as well as manpower when needed.
A re-branding of the team will also take place with the marketing theme of
'The puck stops here!'
"We need to get the message out that we are a hockey town," was the explanation behind the slogan.
"And it's not just the Posse, but Minor Hockey as well. We may not have a lot of winter sports activities in the scale of bigger centres, but we sure have hockey."
The group meets again in two weeks.
