The Terriers held their Annual General Meeting at the PCU Centre last night. The meeting is held to recap the year and present last year’s financial statement. This year’s meeting saw a change in board members, amendments to the constitution and a discussion about the team going forward.
Blake Spiller presented the coach’s report detailing the 7 graduating players plans along with the loss of 2 eligible returning players ( Stewart and Orr ) as they will both be moving on to Division I hockey next season. Spiller confirmed that the organization has recruited and signed six 18 year olds for the upcoming season. The Terriers fall camp will begin on September 2nd this year with our first exhibition game being September 6th.
It was a great day for the organization as Blake Spiller then signed a new contract as the Coach and GM for 3 more years taking the team through the 2019 season.
Governor Dale Deschouwer presented a new initiative called the Richardson Pioneer Terriers’ Bushel Club. Being that we are The Portage and District Terriers we were looking for an initiative to include the surrounding farming communities and partnering with Richardson Pioneer, we were able to do just that. In effect when farmers are bringing their harvest to the Pioneer elevator they can donate some of their crop directly to the Terriers Organization. Pioneer will then pay the Terriers’ directly for the donated amount. A similar idea was tried in Neepawa with the Natives and the Terriers are hoping for the same support and success.
Deschouwer also reported that next year will be the last year for the Western Canada Cup format with the prairie leagues voting against its continuation. While it is not known whether we will be returning to the Anavet and Doyle Cup, Nanaimo will be hosting the last WCC next year.
Treasurer Mark Killam presented the financials from last season that saw the Terriers with a deficit of $25,335 due to some unforeseen expenses with the bus. The Terriers will be working towards boosting attendance and corporate sponsorship in an effort to move in the right direction.
President Trent Ward stressed the importance of our corporate sponsorships and how we couldn’t do it without them. Their continued support of the Terriers has been paramount to the organization’s success.
The organization’s passed by law changes saw the board of directors’ change in number from 12 to 10 along with some outdated wording changes.
The meeting ended with Director Elections and the successful addition of 2 new board members, Dave Koroscil and Donna Wettlaufer. Welcome to the board!