The City of Moose Jaw and the Moose Jaw Warriors have signed a new, multi-year lease agreement for the Moose Jaw Events Centre, announced during a press conference at the Events Centre on March 25. 

“The Moose Jaw Warriors are key contributors to the identity and economy of our community,” said Clive Tolley, Mayor of Moose Jaw. “On behalf of City Council, we thank the Moose Jaw Warriors Board of Directors, Warriors organization and City Administration for their efforts to finalize this agreement.” 

The previous agreement between the City and the Warriors expired August 31, 2021. It was extended by mutual agreement to Aug. 31, 2023, with negotiations following since then between Maryse Carmichael, the city manager, and Bob Dougall, president and governor of the Warriors. 

“We thank Ms. Carmichael and the City of Moose Jaw for their hard work in negotiating this agreement,” Dougall said. “She’s been very good to work with, and I’m glad we’ve gotten to where we are. 

“The challenge for us was finding financial balance between ensuring day-to-day operations at the Moose Jaw Events Centre continue, and the long-term financial hurdles that continue to be a reality.” 

The agreement is retroactive to Sep. 1, 2023, and will be in effect until Aug. 31, 2028. It includes a yearly licensing fee of $200,000, and the Warriors will pay 12 per cent of ticket revenues to the city.  

“The open dialogue and mutual respect demonstrated during the negotiation process have undoubtedly laid a strong foundation for our continued partnership,” Carmichael said during the press conference.  

“It’s never a good business situation when we don’t have a signed agreement, so my focus was really to have all of us come together to negotiate for the greater good of both entities, to ensure that ... all the residents of Moose Jaw have great WHL hockey.” 

Bob Dougall speaks during the March 25 press conferenceBob Dougall speaks during the March 25 press conference (photo by Gordon Edgar)

Dougall said the agreement was important, but he acknowledged the work that lies ahead for the club. 

“In the past two years, the club has reported losses of about $380,000, so, I mean, we’ve got a better agreement than we’ve had in the past, but the agreement itself is not going to be enough to get the Warriors where we need to be on a financial standing.” 

The City of Moose Jaw has agreed to take on security and ticket-taking costs, which will save the Warriors about $100,000 per year, Dougall noted. 

New terms were also reached on issues like sponsorship and scheduling. With everything taken into account, Carmichael said, the Warriors now have a bit of financial relief. 

But, she added, “It’s up to them to be able to really make it worthwhile and to get a good revenue.” 

More information is available from the City of Moose Jaw website at moosejaw.ca.