In an information meeting held in the McIntyre Room at the Cominco Arena on Tuesday night the board of directors for the Smoke Eaters unveiled the new majority owner of the BCHL franchise. Approximately 150 supporters were in attendance at the meeting. Minnesota businessman Rich Murphy has agreed to a $600,00.00 deal and 90% ownership of the hockey club. The Smoke Eater Society through a limited partnership company will retain 10% of the team.
“The move to sell the team is a positive step for the community” said President Tom Gawryletz. “Rich has a tremendous amount of respect for the community and the hockey history” quoted Gawryletz. “He’s not about money, he’s about the kids and the community.”
The Smoke Eaters have struggled with mounting debt over the past five years, a result of increasing expenses, fewer fundraising funds, and declining numbers at the gate making the future of the Smokies all but untenable. “There’s a lot of work that needs to be done,” said Gawryletz. “Right now we’re sitting at roughly $400,000.00 in debt, and we find this basically our only way out.”
Rich is prepared to spend his own money for improvements to the dressing facilities and he is negotiating a long term lease with the City of Trail. The supporters at the meeting were assured that the team will remain in Trail for the foreseeable future and the Society has the first right of refusal if he decides to sell or leave.
Gawryletz stresses that the team still needs the support of the community as far as volunteers, corporate sponsors, billet families and fan support go. “We hope that the community continues to supports the team as they have done in the past,” Gawryletz said.
