Council to open talks on Hurricanes compensation

Lethbridge city council voted 8-0 in favour at Monday’s public meeting of opening negotiations with the Lethbridge Hurricanes for the potential displacement from the Enmax Centre at Western Hockey League playoff time next year due to the World Men’s Curling Championship coming to town.

While unanimous, the vote was not without some drama.

First, Coun. Blaine Hyggen, who sits on the Hurricanes board of directors, recused himself from discussions prior to the vote to avoid a conflict of interest.

Mayor Chris Spearman then asked, as part of the public discussions on the issue, for the city manager to outline the costs to the city of compensation if the Hurricanes did not go deep into the playoffs next year, and are, therefore, not displaced.

“If there is no displacement, there will be no direct cash compensation,” said city manager Bram Strain, in response to the question from Spearman. “There would be some money spent on the Nicholas Sheran Arena, but those would be life-cycle costs anyways. They are improvements that would make the arena a better place.”

Coun. Rob Miyashiro then cut Strain off and challenged Spearman’s right to ask that question on a point of order, stating details of private talks with the Hurricanes should not be negotiated in the public forum of a city council meeting.

“Can anyone here not see this is an issue?” asked Miyashiro.

When no one else on council challenged the mayor, Spearman replied: “Apparently, you are the only one. I am not negotiating,” he stated before confirming the city manager’s answer again.

Spearman said in way the problem of the Hurricanes’ possible displacement was a good one for local sports fans to have.

“I think it is wonderful that we have this problem,” he confirmed, “where we have the potential of having the Hurricanes playing and hosting the World Curling Championships — unfortunately at the same time — but two great events (nonetheless).”

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