Potential new owners bringing new ideas to Warriors’ game experience

Would-be owners of the West Kelowna Warriors foresee changes to both the team’s organizational structure and the game-day experience for fans.

A hybrid model of ownership, with private investors backed by a volunteer-run booster club overseeing fundraising schemes, is under consideration.

Expanded food and beverage kiosks are also necessary at Royal LePage Place to make watching a Warriors game a more enjoyable night out, according to the man who’s rounding up potential buyers for the team.

“There’s only one concession window at the arena,” Peter Siemens said Thursday. “People can wait 20-25 minutes for something to eat, and almost as long for a beer.

“That doesn’t make for a great environment, or make it likely the casual fan is going to keep coming back, game after game,” he said. “Maybe food truck operators and different wineries could come in on game nights.”

Siemens said he’s been talking to prominent West Kelowna business owners who are willing to pool some resources to buy the team from Mark Cheyne, who lost $300,000 on the Warriors last year despite the team winning the national Junior A title.

“There’s been some progress, but we still need more investors to come forward,” said Siemens. “Right now, I’d say there’s about a 50-50 chance of the Warriors being here next year.”

If a deal is to be done, Siemens said, it would have to be concluded within the next few weeks.

The B.C. Hockey League would like to Warriors to stay in Kelowna, Siemens said, but Cheyne does have “an offer on the table” from a Vancouver businessman who wants to move the franchise to North Delta.

Asked about a possible purchase price, Siemens suggested $1 million was “probably in the ballpark”, but much would depend on Cheyne’s willingness to remain as part of some future ownership group.

The Warriors once had 1,200 season-ticket holders, but that has fallen to about 500 currently.

Siemens attributed the decline at least partly to the poor game experience and the lack of an active booster club that could involve community groups like minor hockey and adult rec league members in the operation of the Warriors.

A booster club, like those that exist in some other cities with a BCHL team, could also organize fundraising events under the auspices of the BC Lottery Corp., he said.

Potential owners would expect to be able to sell more advertising inside the arena, Siemens suggested, and have the right to bring in non-hockey events like concerts.

“There’s a lot of things that have to happen in the next few weeks for the Warriors to stay,” Siemens said. “We’re on the clock, but the thought of losing the Warriors has been sort of a wake-up call for the community.”

The Warriors close out their regular season on the road this weekend, facing Merritt tonight and Salmon Arm on Saturday.

West Kelowna will host playoff games, opening against on of those two teams on March 3.