By Aaron Mahoney (@Mahones93 on Twitter)

City of Lethbridge and Lethbridge Hurricanes successfully review lease agreement ahead of new five-year term

Mar 18, 2019 | 4:19 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The City of Lethbridge and the Western Hockey League’s Lethbridge Hurricanes will continue to have a thriving partnership after both sides successfully reviewed their lease agreement with the ENMAX Centre.

As part of the 15-year lease, the agreement is reviewed every five years.

With the Hurricanes’ upcoming playoff series taking place at the same time as Lethbridge welcomes the 2019 Pioneer Hi-Bred World Men’s Curling Championship, the City and the Hurricanes decided now was the time to review the lease ahead of schedule.

Mayor Chris Spearman says the amendments align with the strategic goals of Lethbridge being a destination city and having the ability to attract multiple large special events to the city.

“We want to continue to provide a thriving home for the Hurricanes and draw those big-name events to our city that bring financial benefits to businesses and residents,” Spearman added.

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The reviewed lease agreement goes into effect on Aug. 1.

The clauses that directly address the relocation of the potential handful of playoff games that coincide with the world curling championship taking place from March 30 to April 7, will take effect on March 24.

One of the clauses laid out in the agreement details that during the displacement period, the City shall pay the Hurricanes a flat amount of $85,000 for each playoff home game they have to play at Nicholas Sheran Arena, to a maximum of five playoff home games.

The settlement payment is in lieu of lost ticket revenue, lost 50/50 revenue, any other lost revenues the hockey club may sustain and any additional expenses the Hurricanes may incur, as a result of the displacement.

Additionally, there will also be amendments to ticket service charges and the amount of money the team pays to the city under a variety of circumstances.

The first-round of WHL playoffs begin on March 22 with the potential of some playoff games taking place at Nicholas Sheran Arena, depending on the end of the regular season standings.

The upgrades required to ensure Nicholas Sheran Arena is up to WHL playing standard were already scheduled to take place and were merely moved up as these upgrades will be left in place for all residents in the community to enjoy.