Talks have been ongoing this week between the investors group and the City of Charlottetown in regards to a number of topics, one of which is a stronger financial partnership with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team.

A group of investors from Charlottetown reached an agreement in principle with the Savard family last week to purchase the team. cheap jerseys The Savards had an offer on the table from another group for $3.5 million to move the team to what is believed to be Sorel, Que. That group pulled out of talks on Friday.

The city currently contributes $35,000 annually to the Rocket, plus extra costs for training camp. That figure could rise but no final numbers have been agreed to as of yet.

Some of the investors met with city council on Tuesday as talks began.

Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee said discussions are ongoing with the team’s new investors.

“I think it’s safe to say the city is looking to ensure we are able to do everything possible to make this opportunity with a Q team work in Charlottetown,” Lee said Wednesday. “Having said that, we are not looking to give the city away.”

A story was circulating on Twitter Tuesday night that the city or Civic Centre board had agreed to cover any losses the investors might incur. The Guardian was told there is no truth whatsoever to that story.

It does appear that the investors are going to proceed with rebranding plans for the Rocket. Prior to putting the team up for sale, Serge Savard Jr. Islanders.

Lee said council did see a new logo. Islanders may become the Charlottetown Islanders. Keep in mind all of the new investors are from Charlottetown.

“It’s an option, I can tell you that,” Lee said. “They haven’t told us that’s definitely the name of the team but they did indicate that is an option they are considering.”

Having a team that is locally owned, perhaps with the name on the jersey to underline that fact, has its benefits. Lee compared it to the days when the Charlottetown junior A Abbies skated in town.

“It was recognized and perceived and it truly felt like a community asset.”

Lee said running a Quebec major junior team is an expensive undertaking (the Savards say they lost $1 million the last few years combined) and that a possible stronger relationship with the city corporation has its benefits as well. The city has spent a lot of time over the years promoting itself as an event tourism destination.

“There is, indeed, a lot of marketing potential when we are able to say we are home to a Q team. That speaks volumes to the larger community.”

Lee said talks with the investors is about finding “the right mix that works for the investors and works for the city”. If you want something that would work for everyone, set up 2 fan busses, one in Summerside,one in Montague. Drive the busses in for every home game. That is the best option. Also, you wonder why we never can make a run for a championship? It cost money to acquire good European players and good players from around the league. If we all come together and support this franchise then maybe we will see a winning team on the ice!!!!!!1

I agree with the concerns expressed regarding tax dollars going towards this group. It was mentioned in the article that the Province contributed monies. Now that the team is being promoted as ” Charlottetown ” Islanders, the province should drop their funding and use it ” wisely ” somewhere else ( don’t anticipate that ever happening ). I am a season ticket holder in the ” Q ” simply to watch a great caliber of hockey. I suspect there are more like me, who will travel from outside for the same reason, no matter what the team’s name is. I do not want my city taxes to be spent propping up a hockey team that can’t float on its own merits. It’s high time we heard the word “restraint” mentioned a few times at city hall. BTW, whatever happened to those arty monstrosities?

Just close your eyes and imagine a play by play “sports commentary” of the behind doors negotiations. Now, that would be a skit worthy of a comedy team! Somewhere in there the dialogue would be, “Ohhhhh myyyyy, the tax payer just took a bad hit to the head with a high stick and the ref just seemed to look away! The tax payer is on the ice, bleeding, looks like it may be a bad concussion, but nobody seems to care! What’s going on why isn’t there a whistle on the play?” Yep, there’s a new game in town but it looks a lot like the same game the ol’boys have been playing for their entire lives. Hey now, here’s a thought. Why not change the name from The PEI Rocket to The Ch’town Ol’Boys? As an opposing team, I know which one I’d fear the most . . .

Well these “investors” may recall that we have had allot of trouble with “investments” and if its nor to much trouble could these gentlemen (?) maybe introduce themselves to PEI. The team is a loser financially and they were so quick to dive in so either build it yourselves or convince us (the public, not Lee) why we should “invest” in your ideas. The Savard family have allot of experience and connections in hockey and lost allot of money before they gave up. What kind of “investors” and “investments” are we talking about here. Private investors can buy and sell in secret but you want public money, show your faces, morons. funny eh?

Big surprise. Local idiots buy failing business with new plan: more taxpayer money. The provincial government is closing hospitals and schools. If they find money for a lousy junior hockey team then they will feel the pain of an angry electorate. cheapnfljerseyssale The city doesn’t have money for clean water, to fix damaged streets, or to protect children from drug dealers. If they think they’ve got extra cash for this joke “business” then heads will roll. The idiots who bought this team knew it was losing $300,000 a year when they bought it. They’re clearly not bright. Don’t enrich these people at the expense of sick children.

So the City is ready to use my taxmoney to subcome to blackmail. if the investors can’t make money for themselves, and is not prepared to shoulder the losses, then they should not have bought the stupid thing.

The Mayor is absolutely irresponsible if he gives them any more than the already too much $ 35.000. where does he come off giving our money away like that.

He comes off sounding like it is his to give away, have you forgotten you serve ALL the people, Clifford.

Maybe it is time to look for a new Mayor, that is not quite as arrogant and wasteful with our money.

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