Town interested in bringing OHL rivalry to Smiths Falls

Posted May 31, 2012 By Stacey Roy

EMC Sports - The Ottawa 67's will be opening their 2012-13 season with a face-off against their arch rivals, the Gatineau Olympique, and they want Smiths Falls to be there for it all.

This week council supported town staff negotiating with Ottawa's OHL hockey team to bring an exhibition game to the new facility Sept. 7. Many members of council and Bob Cheetham, director of economic development, supported the proposal as an economic development investment promoting the town's lifestyle to those living in the Ottawa area.

"That's a pretty strong message to people, that's only 40 minutes away," Cheetham said when the proposal came forward at Monday's council session.

The proposal would include a post-game autograph session with the 67's and the use of the team's mascot, Riley the Raccoon. The Ottawa 67's are requesting the town guarantee $5,000 to the team and then split 50-50 any proceeds from the evening. Most councillors around the table quickly realized the event would not likely be a money maker for the town, especially with the team's request that season ticket holders be granted free entrance.

"The season ticket holders could potentially fill that place," said Wayne Brown, CAO.

Rick St. Dennis, director of community services, confirmed the arena has seating for about 1,500 with standing room for another 500.

Coun. Shawn Pankow suggested possibly charging a parking fee at the facility that night to recoup some of the town's costs.

Town staff will be speaking with OHL representatives to relay the town's interest in hosting the Sept. 7, 2012 exhibition game following the town's existing Arena Rental Policy.

The town will be asking the hockey team to amend its request list for the town so that the following items are removed: providing announcer, music, ice activities at intermission, security forces for game, post game autograph session and arena, and off ice officials and score clock operator.

sroy@perfprint.ca