The Yorkton Terriers will not be making a bid to host the Western Canada Cup (WCC) in 2016.
"We had a whole package set to go," said Terrier club president Dave Baron. "But we sat down and looked at it one more time and the numbers were not there."
The WCC, which brings together the champions from the four western-most junior 'A' leagues in Canada, plus a host team, is still a new concept with only two such tournaments held. The first was in Nanaimo, B.C. in 2013, with Dauphin hosting earlier this year.
"Both Dauphin and Nanaimo struggled (financially)," said Baron.
Baron said there were two hurdles in terms of financing in regards to the Terrier plan.
The first was the need to collect at least $150,000 in sponsorships, something they did not want to attempt until after the Terriers had fundraised for the local team. It was felt looking for added sponsor dollars for the WCC would have been difficult.
"We didn't want to jeopardize the Terriers fundraising," said Baron.
It was also felt the WCC would need to attract many for fans than was the case for the overall tournament in Dauphin, another challenge which might not have been possible to attain depending on what teams were involved, said Baron.
Overall the Terrier proposal had a major budget.
"It was about half a million, give, or take," said Baron. "And any extra stuff would have added on."
With the issues of making the WCC a profit generator, rather than a potential draw on team coffers, Baron said the event's future seems uncertain long term.
"I think it would be hard for any Junior 'A' team I know of to make a go of it financially," he said.
Baron said it is unfortunate the financial side did not work, since the hockey would have been great for local fans.
"I think we could have put on a good tournament," he said.
However, the near two-years of behind-the-scenes to create a WCC bid package which will now not be submitted, may not be a total loss.
At the meeting where the local group decided not to pursue the WCC, there was a suggestion the package be modified for the team to go after a second Royal Bank Cup for the city, said Baron.
"We've gone through all the steps (in creating a proposal)," he said, adding what would be required is some national sponsorship dollars to make it viable.
"I think there's an appetite to try for the RBC," he said.
Yorkton hosted the RBC in 1999.
