A last ditch effort to keep the West Kelowna Warriors where they are is underway.
Alex Draper, the team91裸聊视频檚 director of business operations, is among a group of dedicated locals putting their time toward drumming up interest for a new ownership coalition.
91裸聊视频淲e have a couple irons in the fire, but we need more investors,91裸聊视频� said Draper, who started the effort in earnest last week.
91裸聊视频淧eople started expressing interest and we thought, 91裸聊视频榣et91裸聊视频檚 do what we can then we can look in the mirror and say we did the best we could.91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频�
In addition to private investors looking into the feasibility of a group-ownership plan, Draper said they91裸聊视频檝e also had support from the City of West Kelowna.
Bob Kusch, West Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 Parks, Recreation and Culture Manager, on Tuesday submitted a report, that recommended council approve the application of 91裸聊视频淗ome of the 2016 RBC Cup Champions91裸聊视频� decals on all city vehicles should the West Kelowna Warriors remain.
91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频hey are seeking support from the city to express pride and support for the franchise and recognize the teams91裸聊视频� achievements,91裸聊视频� read Kusch91裸聊视频檚 report.
91裸聊视频淭he new proposed ownership group believes, that by doing so, the city would assist in their efforts to increase the fan base.91裸聊视频�
Draper said that91裸聊视频檚 just the tip of the iceberg. The city has also told them it91裸聊视频檚 open to releasing advertising space to the team in Royal LePage Place that could offer an additional revenue stream.
91裸聊视频淭hey91裸聊视频檝e told us, 91裸聊视频榃e want you guys here,91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频� said Draper.
Draper acknowledges that keeping the team local isn91裸聊视频檛 going to be easy, but there91裸聊视频檚 precedence with three community-owned teams in the league.
91裸聊视频淔or these teams local investment has come together and they have a local board that can pass laws and that kind of thing,91裸聊视频� he said.
While the specifics are far from being hammered out, Draper said it91裸聊视频檚 clear there91裸聊视频檚 a contingent of hockey-minded residents who want it to happen and he wants to help.
91裸聊视频淭he other day a 10-year-old in Kelowna minor hockey come up to me and ask, 91裸聊视频榠f the Warriors leave am I still a Warrior?91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频� he said.
91裸聊视频淵ou hear that kind of thing and you have to do what you can.91裸聊视频�
The plan to move the team to Delta is still moving ahead, but Draper said that if something happens to keep the team local the current owner would support it.
91裸聊视频淗e always wanted to keep the team here, the three or four years he was selling it we hoped it was going to be to a local investor,91裸聊视频� he said.
Warriors91裸聊视频� owner Mark Cheyne signed a letter of intent to transfer ownership of the club to a Delta businessman last month, with the move subject to approval by the league91裸聊视频檚 board of governors.
The team was a money-losing venture since moving to West Kelowna from Langley in 2006, Cheyne took over sole ownership of the club in 2009.
With an RBC Cup championship run last season, Cheyne hoped the club91裸聊视频檚 financial fortunes would finally take a turn for the better. But with community support for the team and attendance remaining stagnant this season, Cheyne said the writing was on the wall.
91裸聊视频淲e were never even close to breaking even once and after awhile it91裸聊视频檚 just no fun anymore,91裸聊视频� Cheyne said. 91裸聊视频淭he last few years, you look for that light at the end of the tunnel, and when we won it all last year, we hoped that would be it.
91裸聊视频淚 was told once you get by Vernon, once you get by Penticton, once you win something big, it91裸聊视频檒l turn around,91裸聊视频� Cheyne added. 91裸聊视频淏ut the light at the end never came.91裸聊视频�
To get in touch with Draper email alex@westkelowna.ca.
