GROWERS OUT OF MILE ONE
ST. JOHN’S, Newfoundland – The Growlers ECHL hockey team and their owner, Deacon Sports and Entertainment have been locked out of Mary Brown Centre (formerly Mile One Centre) by the City of St John’s for what they call “disrespectful workplace conduct” by Deacon Sports employees towards centre staff who are employee of St John’s Sports and Entertainment, a corporation of the City of St John’s.
While the city and Deacon sports had just signed a three year agreement for the Growlers to play their home games at the controversial and troubled stadium, it’s the latest in a history of friction between the city and Deacon Sports and its owner, Dean McDonald , over leasing and operations at the city owned and operated, Mile One Centre.
Delays in ticketing is the most recent conflict. The box office at the centre failed to become operational once the hockey team’s schedule was announced leaving fans angry and unable to buy tickets.
St. John’s mayor, Danny Breen, says they are suspending the lease agreement until the results of an investigation are known but say he has no idea when that might be.
This move by the city comes one day after McDonald talked about building a new arena to be the home of his organization and McDonalds attempt to purchase the arena from the city this year.
McDonald says the relationship is done and the city can expect to see a statement of claim. “This is penalty without process. We’re being penalized for something at this stage that no one even knows is legitimate.” said McDonald.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, the Growlers’ parent club, said they will temporarily host the team in Ontario.
Also: St John’s city councillor and Chair of St John’s Sports and Entertainment, Jamie Korab, has resigned from the board and been replaced by the mayor, Danny Breen. It is expected incoming councillor, Ron Ellesworth will take over the position in the weeks to come.
