Whither the Warriors? Fate of troubled team revealed at game

Announcement made at intermission of playoff-opening 6-5 loss to Merritt

The West Kelowna Warriors are staying after all.

In a brief and vague announcement during the first intermission of Friday’s home playoff game against Merritt, it was confirmed that the Warriors would continue to call Royal LePage Place home next season.

“This coming September, the West Kelowna Warriors will be playing hockey right here,” was the message relayed from owner Mark Cheyne, who wasn’t in attendance but phoned in the update from Palm Springs.

The half-full crowd cheered and celebrated amongst themselves upon hearing that the reigning RBC Cup national champion team wouldn’t be relocating — or folding.

“It was really hard because we actually know the owner personally. We play ball against him and with him,” said Deanne Kieke, a longtime season-ticket holder with her husband, Peter.

“As a fan, we were devastated at the thought that they were going to leave, but as friends, understanding what he’s gone through, we recognized what he had to do. But even we didn’t know what was going on, so walking into the building tonight we were on edge just like everybody else and the tears flowed as soon as it was announced.”

Cheyne had been considering all options and even had a deal in place with a Delta businessman to move the franchise to the Lower Mainland, but that fell through recently and cast more uncertainty over the future of the Warriors.

Despite Friday night’s emphatic statement, many questions remain over whether Cheyne will continue owning the team next season or whether local investors will buy him out.

There was some speculation making the rounds at the rink that the Westbank First Nation had stepped up in a financial capacity to save the team, but a press conference will likely take place next week to provide those answers.

Cheyne says he has been losing money — about $300,000 a year over the past several years — and went public in January with his plans to sell the team.

The asking price was reportedly $1 million, and there had been local interest in recent weeks.

“It’s going to be long-term, they’re going to be here one way or the other,” said a sure-sounding Colin Taylor, another season-ticket holder since Day 1. “Not hopefully, they will be . . . .

“We’re happy. The team is important to the community, and I don’t think the BCHL ever really wanted this team to move. I don’t think it was in their best interest at all.”

“If we would have lost the team, it would have been a devastation for the community,” echoed the Kiekes. “There are so many kids that look up to these guys as role models, and they do so many things in the community.

“It’s really important, not just for West Kelowna but for Kelowna in general, to have a BCHL team here.”

On the ice, the Warriors staged an entertaining series opener but dropped a 6-5 decision to the visiting Centennials.

Merritt silenced West Kelowna’s restless fan base in the early stages, jumping out to a 2-0 lead, but the Warriors battled back to briefly lead 4-3 in the third period.

West Kelowna also hosts Game 2 of the best-of-seven, first-round series tonight, 7 p.m. at RLP.

The Penticton Vees and Vernon Vipers — the top two seeds in the Interior Division — earned byes and won’t play until March 17.