Two valley hockey operations were before their respective municipal councils last week looking for some financial support and assistance.
From a taxpayers’ point of view, though, only one of the situations was handled in a transparent and accountable manner.
The Canmore Eagles of the Alberta Junior Hockey League approached council with a new plan to start paying ice fees again immediately and to begin paying off the club’s debt, accrued by deferring those fees since 2012, next September.
Eagles’ management stood before Canmore council, laid out their plans and progress for generating income and publicly stated where the team stands financially, including what is owed and its current total debt, and how it is developing a relationship with Canmore Minor Hockey in the community.
The Eagles also outlined how the club is working with tourism groups to promote the town as a hockey destination and their plans for making hockey an around-the-calendar operation.
Mayor and council, administration and any members of the public who attended the council session, were able to observe and assess the Eagles’ economic situation in regards to the Town.
Banff Hockey Academy (BHA), on the other hand, also appeared before council to make a number of requests regarding its lease with the municipality, debt repayment plan and ice rates.
Unfortunately for taxpayers, at least at this point in time, Banff’s administration went with a Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act clause to allow discussion to be held entirely in-camera (private). By discussing in-camera, any taxpayers who may have been present at the council meeting, or might hope to read of what transpired through their local media, now have to wait until a future council meeting to find out (we assume).
Post in-camera discussion, Banff council at least directed administration to bring back more information and to respond to the requests made.
Until more financial information is made available, and made public, it will be difficult for council and taxpayers alike to determine whether or not ratepayers are getting bang for their bucks in respect to BHA operations.
Even though BHA is a privately owned business, taxpayers have every right to know where they stand in supporting the hockey school.
Without further information, residents of Banff are left in the dark about the liability they are taking on by allowing the hockey school to owe the municipality money. Canmore residents, on the other hand, are fully briefed on the risk its council has agreed to undertake.
When our municipal governments are put in a position to essentially be a loaning institution like a bank, the public’s right to know what level of unsecured loan they are taking on is paramount over third-party business privacy concerns. If they don’t like it – they should go to an actual bank.
Canmore’s agreement with the Eagles includes language to guarantee the money it owes ($151,000-ish) is paid back first if the club is sold or any conditions of the agreement are breached.
If BHA is having cash flow problems, what guarantee does Banff have it will be paid back if it closes shop or moves? Such language and assurance, we hope, will form part of the details provided to the public when council votes on the issue.
