MOOSE JAW — The Events Centre will require a subsidy this year that is $42,000 less than last year, a result of more live events, greater food and beverage sales and higher ticket sales.
In 2025, building manager OVG360 is projecting revenues of $2,562,866 and expenses of $3,560,002, resulting in a deficit of $997,136, and after including the management fee of $156,726, the overall subsidy will be $1,153,860, a budget report said.
In comparison, in 2024, revenues were $2,330,124, expenses were $3,310,169, the deficit was $980,045 and the management fee was $193,238, leading to a subsidy of $1,196,016, the document continued.
Therefore, the sports and entertainment venue requires a subsidy this year that is $42,156 less than last year, while this year’s cost recovery is 69 per cent versus 67 per cent in 2024.
These budget estimates are based on 175 events that attract 163,540 people who pay an average ticket price of $30.10.
During the 2025 budget discussions, city council unanimously approved the Events Centre’s operating budget and the subsidy of $1,153,860.
With the end of the coronavirus pandemic, the Events Centre has been working to attract more events, concerts and activities, said city manager Maryse Carmichael. For example, the building hosted the World Para Hockey Championship in 2023, while it will host the World Men’s Curling Championship this year.
Shaunna Fritzler, the Events Centre’s general manager, agreed, pointing out that the availability of activities fluctuates annually. Therefore, the venue’s budget is predicated on these activities happening.
Furthermore, the building’s two pivotal revenue streams are food and beverage sales and the SaskTix.ca ticketing platform, which have grown during the last few years, she said.
“Multi-day events are key for the financial health of the Events Centre, and not only for that, but also for our community and just the economic impact it can bring,” Fritzler continued, noting OVG360 wants to build awareness throughout Saskatchewan about the Events Centre’s hosting capabilities.
However, it’s sometimes difficult for people to visualize how the curling centre — “a big concrete space” — could host a banquet, wedding or graduation, the GM said. So, OVG360 plans to increase its marketing efforts to promote the building’s spaces and increase meeting and conference revenues.
Fritzler added that janitorial supply expenses usually increase during major events, such as the World Men’s Curling Championship, where nearly 8,000 people will attend over 10 days.
Council comments
Coun. Chris Warren liked that the Events Centre’s cost recovery would be higher this year and its subsidy would be lower, while he recalled the first few years when council implemented the subsidy model and provided around $800,000 annually in funding.
He noted that the amount council now gives is trending downward despite being higher than when the building opened.
Meanwhile, Warren wondered how much extra revenue the Events Centre generated during the Moose Jaw Warriors’ 2023-24 playoff run and how that additional funding would be used, as he thought any surplus could help decrease the subsidy.
“In the past, we haven’t had that luxury of excess revenues,” said finance director Brian Acker, noting that any extra revenue would go toward retained earnings for additional cash flow. “My recommendation is to leave it with them.”
Coun. Heather Eby said the curling championship would generate “a lot of toilet paper,” with nearly 8,000 people using the venue over 10 days. She noted that those higher janitorial expenses are not something residents consider when the Events Centre hosts activities.
Meanwhile, she pointed out that the budget lacks revenue from a naming rights sponsor, so she hoped to hear positive news about that this year. Also, she wondered if the Events Centre had enough staff since she noticed the same people working in the morning and evening during two different events.
Fritzler replied that the venue has 21 full-time employees compared to 26 when the building first opened. She acknowledged that staff are experiencing burnout because of how busy the Events Centre has been over the past two years. Some employees have been forced to work 12- to 16-hour days during concerts and bonspiels, but only for a few days.
So, Fritzler added, OVG360 could hire more people once the number of meetings and banquets in the building increases.
