Terriers Will Stay in Yorkton Thanks to Public Support
In January, the Yorkton Terriers shared the team was facing a very difficult financial situation and reached out to the public for their support.
“Our club has struggled for many years financially and the 2023/24 season has been no different. There are many reasons why we are where we are, but as a board of directors we came to the conclusion that we need the community’s help in a big way, now. Without that, the club’s future is in jeopardy,” shared team President, Corvyn Neufeld.
Over the last month, the Terriers have held a Season Ticket Blitz, where the public could not only purchase a season ticket to help support the club, but at the same time, have the chance to win a $4,000 travel voucher!
Now, following this successful Save the Terriers Season Ticket Blitz, The Yorkton Terriers Junior A Hockey Club announced, in a press release, that the team will continue into the 2024/25 season.
“Our community showed they want to see the Terriers continue to be a part of our community! 931 season tickets for the 2024/25 season were sold during our season ticket blitz, significantly more than the 162 that were sold for our current season. We are so grateful for the support we’ve received from so many. We had minor hockey teams make donations, former players and players’ families donate, businesses in other communities buy season tickets and donate them back and even other teams in the SJHL step forward to buy tickets. Fans and local businesses were incredibly supportive. It’s been overwhelming and humbling to see our community step up to ensure the Terriers remain a part of this community. Our board of directors is thrilled to confirm that Yorkton Terriers will be in Yorkton for another season!” shared Terrier board president Corvyn Neufeld.
The club noted that this is only the first step in making sure the team will continue for many more years to come. Tickets for the Celebrity Sports Dinner on April 20 are now on sale. “We have an outstanding committee working hard to put on what will be a fun and entertaining evening. We’re hoping it will also be a successful fundraiser for the club.”
The team is also finalizing details for at least two other major fundraising efforts. Neufeld noted that running a Junior A hockey club costs a lot of money – over $700,000 each season.
“These fundraising efforts will not only restore the club to a strong financial position but ensure we have the resources to field a highly competitive team in our league. Ultimately, our board of directors’ goal is for the Yorkton Terriers to be the premier franchise in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.”
As the team continues to battle to the end of this season, Neufeld added that fan support has noticeably changed already.
“Our crowds are up, 50/50 sales are up and beer sales are up! The building has more energy and our players have been feeding off that, playing some very exciting hockey as our season winds down. We feel the future is very bright under the leadership of Head Coach/General Manager Emery Olauson. In closing, we can’t thank those who’ve supported our club enough. So many have stepped forward in so many ways to help. Our community clearly said ‘we want the Terriers to continue to be a part of our community’. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”