Kelowna taxpayers being asked for $90,000 to offset costs of cancelled Memorial Cup

Even though the Western Hockey League’s Memorial Cup championship was cancelled because of COVID-19 the City of Kelowna is still being asked to pay a share of the money spent on the event.

In August 2018, city council agreed to contribute $225,000 towards the cost of the tournament if the Kelowna Rocket’s bid to host the championship was successful.

The bid was accepted in October 2018 and work started on preparing for the event scheduled for the spring of 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation.

“Significant planning had taken place in preparation for the event, and a number of non-refundable operational expenses were incurred, such as branding/design, advertising/promotion and bid development,” states a report that will go to Kelowna city council on Monday, July 13. “The outcome is a fairly significant deficit with revenues of $43,000 and expenses of $308,000, totalling a net loss of approximately $265,000.”

The City had not provided any money by the time the tournament was cancelled in March.

Now it’s being asked to split the cost with the Rockets and the Canadian Hockey League, with the City’s share being $90,000.

It’s also being asked to set aside the rest of the money it committed, $135,000, in case Kelowna is granted the next Memorial Cup.

Staff is recommending council approve both requests.

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