The Municipality of Lambton Shores

THE MUNICIPALITY OF LAMBTON SHORES
C.A.O. Report No. 23-2011 Wednesday, April 20, 2011
TO: Mayor Weber & Members of Council
FROM : John Byrne, C.A.O.
RE: Business Plan – Thedford Dirty Dogs Senior AA Hockey Team
RECOMMENDATION:
REPORT
BACKGROUND
That C.A.O. Report No. 23-2011 – Business Plan Thedford
Dirty Dogs Senior AA Hockey team and the
recommendations therein be accepted and approved and
that staff be authorized to work with the team to implement
those recommendations.
As directed by Council, staff has been exploring ways in which those teams and
organizations impacted in the delayed completion of the Legacy Centre could be
compensated for the loss of ice time and added expense incurred. We have not yet
developed a strategy for compensating these groups yet but will have something prior to
the 2011-12 season. In the meantime the situation with the Dirty Dogs requires more
immediate attention due to its relationship with the Senior AA Hockey League and the
need to determine whether or not it will be able to compete in the upcoming season.
The Thedford Dirty Dogs Hockey Team has been operating out of the former Thedford-
Bosanquet arena facility since 2005 and has slowly but surely been able to build a
successful team in what is considered to be a very small and challenging market.
Attendance and support for the team has grown over the years but the challenges of
operating a competitive team at this level remain. While attendance has grown by some
43% since its inception operating costs have continued to put a strain on the team
especially in the 2010-11 season, when their home base, underwent its major
renovation.
Apart from its internal financial issues, there is no doubt that the Dirty Dogs and their
hockey games have become a key component of the Legacy Centre’s viability but also
that of the greater community. The operation of the team and the visiting teams and
fans it attracts have a spin off benefit to the local business community that should be
recognized, while modest, this infusion of $2,500 to $3,000.00 a year is welcomed by
the local business community and it is hoped that with the continued success of the
team that spin off will continue to grow.
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