Warriors get concession back

New owners of West Kelowna hockey team plan to expand food, beverage sales through arena

The new owners of the West Kelowna Warriors are in it for love, not money.

Running a BC Hockey League team is more about supporting the sport than turning a profit, West Kelowna council has been told.

“These private businesses are money losers, to be frank,” said Kim Dobranski, who identified himself as one of the team’s new owners.

“They don’t make money,” Dobranski said. “They are community assets, with owners who love the sport and are willing to sacrifice some of their financial resources to keep these teams going.”

Dobranski was at Tuesday’s council meeting to appeal for council to return operation of the food and beverage concession at Jim Lind Arena to the team. Council has previously been told the concession as currently configured makes only about $5,000 in net proceeds throughout the hockey season.

But the new owners of the Warriors intend to expand food and beverage sales throughout the arena, partnering with various West Kelowna restaurants.

“We’re not looking to line our pockets with concession money, but it’s a great opportunity to build better relationships with businesses in the community,” Dobranski said.

Council deliberated the concession issue in late July, but deferred a decision.

On Tuesday, council voted unanimously to turn food and beverage operations at the arena over to the Warriors.

Warriors fans should not, however, expect to be able to buy beer while sitting in their seats this season. They’ll have to continue to leave the seating area to purchase their suds, then return to their seats, said city recreation director Bob Kusch: “We’ve made that very clear.”

We’re not looking to line our pockets with concession money, but it’s a great opportunity to build better relationships with businesses in the community.

Kim Dobranski