Williams Lake city council will be discussing a request of support for a junior hockey team in the lakecity.
Council met with representatives of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) team at the Feb. 6 special in camera meeting, and directed that the request (and relevant letters of support) be considered at the Feb. 13 regular council meeting in Williams Lake.
“In reviewing the opportunity for a junior level hockey team hosted out of the CMRC, there are many items and discussions yet to come,” reads a report linked to the council meeting agenda.
“At this time, if Council wishes to enter into a discussion, the City of Williams Lake should provide a letter to the prospective team and KIJHL league commissioner stating their interest in moving forward with discussions. This commitment to further discussions ensures the positive aspect of our interest in supporting this type of opportunity.”
Attached to the report are support letters from the Williams Lake Minor Hockey Association and the Williams Lake Stampeders.
“As per Council’s direction, (city) staff reached out to the user groups at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex. The main concerns relayed were around ice times changing, however, the consensus was all were excited at the prospect of more opportunities in the community. After staff reviewed the concerns, staff believe there is sufficient ice times available to fulfill everyone’s needs.”
Last month, a proponent of establishing a KIJHL team in Quesnel, Rob McMillan, was on the cusp of attaining that goal, but a special meeting he had with the Quesnel Kangaroos and the North Cariboo Joint Advisory Committee (a mix of Regional District and City of Quesnel elected officials) ended in a condition: McMillan’s franchise would have to pay the Kangaroos franchise $100,000 per year.
“Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, these recent developments make it impossible for us to make this vision a reality,” McMillan penned in a letter to the editor.
A group in Quesnel are meeting this week to try and find a way forward for the KIJHL.
Meanwhile, Williams Lake city council will discuss the league Tuesday evening, Feb 13.
McMillan failed in a 2021 attempt to bring KIJHL teams to Quesnel and Williams Lake.
- With a file from Frank Peebles, Quesnel Observer
