CORNER BROOK, N.L. — While an investigation into unaccounted funds proceeds, the Corner Brook Minor Hockey Association is working to pay off its debt to the City of Corner Brook.
Both sides say a new arrangement between the two groups to square things up is working well.
In March, the association publicly confirmed it had discovered financial irregularities in its books and would be launching an internal audit to find out if money had been misappropriated. The results of that audit were later turned over to the police for further investigation.
Corner Brook Mayor Jim Parsons subsequently told The Western Star the association was behind on its ice time bill to the city's civic centre. While no exact amount has ever been disclosed, the mayor estimated at the time the association runs up a monthly ice time bill of between $20,000 and $25,000 during the hockey season.
While the investigation continues, neither side will confirm how much was owed, but Parsons said the amount was significant.
The minor hockey association is currently in the process of paying its debt back, interest-free, over the course of two years.
According to Parsons, the process is going smoothly.
The civic centre has also shortened the repayment period for ice-time bills of all its user groups in order to mitigate potential problems with late payments in the future.“We’re currently satisfied with it and they’re making payments and everything seems to be going along just fine,” he told The Western Star.
Previously, user groups had 30 days to pay their latest invoices before interest kicked in. The repayment period is now 15 days after the invoice is written.
Keith Biggin, who took over as association president this summer, said the association’s relationship with the city remains excellent.
“Everything is going pretty good for that,” he told The Western Star. “There’s a plan put in place and, so far, it’s working out great.”
Darren Harvieux, who took on the role of the association’s treasurer this summer, said they are managing finances more closely and fundraising to make up for the financial irregularities.
A $10,000 cash draw has been underway since September and will be drawn Dec 22.
A second fundraiser is expected to be held in the new year.
The minor hockey association has also raised fees from $580 to $590 per player, but Harvieux said this is unrelated to the association’s financial situation.
In May, the minor hockey association completed its internal audit and the matter has been with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary since.Meanwhile, no one from the association was willing to comment on the investigation into the association’s financial irregularities.
Sgt. Ryan Wentzell confirmed the RNC investigation is still ongoing but said it is not releasing any details on the investigation at this time.
