Bathurst reaches bailout deal to keep Titan hockey team in city

The Acadie-Bathurst Titan will stay in the Chaleur region, after city officials signed an initial agreement that paves the way for a potential five-year, $275,000 investment.

The move to support the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team follows relocation speculation, changes in ownership and poor attendance in recent years. This summer, the ownership group announced it was facing financial pressure and needed to consider selling the franchise.

Under the initial one-year agreement, Bathurst will provide a $75,000 grant raised from the city's accommodation levy. League and city officials announced the plan on Tuesday at a news conference at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre, the team's home area.

Mayor Kim Chamberlain said the urgency of the financial situation prompted immediate action to try to keep the team.

"This is the foundation for future steps to ensure that the Titan is here to stay," she said.

The initial one-year deal is to allow time to negotiate a long-term agreement involving other municipalities in the region. Discussions on the five-year plan have begun.

Board chair Serge Thériault said the current ownership is dedicated to working to keep the franchise and the deal lays that groundwork.

"It's a place that creates positive economic spinoff in the northern region," he said. "The rink is where family and friends gather to celebrate their community. It puts Bathurst on the map."

The proposed five-year agreement would include a $100,000 operating grant from the city's general operating fund, $50,000 from the 2021 budget and $50,000 from the 2022 budget. The initial accommodation levy grant would also be part of the package.

The northern New Brunswick city's general operating budget is $27 million for 2022.

Under the proposed long-term deal, Bathurst will receive a portion of game revenues when more than 2,100 people attend. That threshold would mean selling more than 66 per cent of seats at the K.C. Irving Regional Centre.

The team has an average attendance of about 1,573 fans for home games this season, according to the league.

The city also plans to purchase a corporate box for tourism promotions, work with the team to find additional revenue sources through advertising and offer additional physical space.

Host cities in New Brunswick have frequently used arena contracts to help subsidize expenses, from reducing rent to paying for staff.