No free ice

Council turns down Dukes’ sponsorship deal

The Dukes left Shire Hall emptyhanded last week after the Council unanimously declined to accept a naming rights sponsorship deal the team had proposed.

Last month, Tealah Clement, COO of the Wellington Dukes, and Kelly Martin, Director of Sales and Marketing, presented a sponsorship opportunity to council that would see the Dukes branded as The County Wellington Dukes for its 35th anniversary season in exchange for regular season ice time. The deal represented a value of about $50,000.

According to Clement’s presentation, the Dukes would continue to attract visitors to Prince Edward County during the tourist off-season. The County would become the official naming sponsor and be featured in all branding, merchandise, social media posts, and anywhere The County Wellington Dukes were mentioned.

Clement had told Council that the Junior A hockey landscape has changed quite drastically in the last ten years. Most teams once managed with one full-time coach and general manager, but the Dukes currently have nine full-time staff, making managing the costs more challenging than ever. Clement added that without the Dukes’ more than 30 volunteers, Jr. A hockey in Wellington likely wouldn’t be viable.

While most council members expressed support for the Dukes on the ice and their role in the community, they balked at funding such an arrangement.

“I have nothing but support and gratitude for the team, but as a municipality, we have many different groups that need support, so I cannot in all conscience actually support the motion myself,” said Councillor Roy Pennell.

“I go to a lot of Dukes and Pirates games,” said Councillor Bill Roberts. “I love those two junior teams. They serve very different demographics, and I am really happy the County has them. Having said that, I think as a council and as senior staff, we need to be consistent and serious about the cost of our local government. I think that the County needs to be seen to going after all the revenue it can possibly get in time of real economic turmoil.”