MOOSE JAW — City council has agreed to continue a contract with a football program to use the Yara Centre, with the contract expected to generate more revenue for the city.
During its Dec. 2 executive committee meeting, council unanimously approved a three-year licence agreement with Selects Football to use the sports venue on High Street West. Furthermore, council authorized the mayor and city clerk to sign the agreement for the municipality.
The current agreement expired on Nov. 14, 2024; the new agreement expires on Nov. 14, 2027.
The recommendation becomes official when council approves the meeting’s minutes during its Dec. 16 regular meeting.
“A new three-year licence agreement … (will) continue maximizing the usage of the turf fields at the Yara Centre while allowing Selects Football to offer winter football programming and training for residents of Moose Jaw and the surrounding area,” a council report said.
The sports program has been a prime tenant — the other is Moose Jaw Soccer — at the Yara Centre since 2018 — this is the third contract renewal — and receives priority booking privileges for annual turf use and a dedicated office and storage space, the document continued.
Selects Football serves roughly 250 athletes and operates several rosters and teams, with most programming happening between November and March, including the “Battle of Prairies Tournament” in January.
In 2024, this four-day event attracted teams from across Western Canada and the United States, with roughly 1,000 athletes and 4,000 visitors attending, the report said.
The report noted that capital improvements at the sports venue — such as LED lighting upgrades this year and turf renewal in 2025 — enhance the building’s value for the Selects and help solidify their commitment for another three years. Further, the organization’s programming contributes to sports tourism here as it generates economic benefits through spending on hotels/motels, meals and shopping.
Council’s approval for this recommendation was required because the agreement’s value exceeded the city manager’s approval threshold of $50,000, the report said.
In 2021-22, the Selects booked 585.5 hours of turf time at the Yara Centre and paid $50,762.
In 2022-23, the organization booked 810 hours and paid $70,227.
In 2023-24, the Selects booked 898.5 hours of turf time and paid $77,899.
In 2024-25, the organization is projected to book 957.5 hours and pay $83,015. Therefore, revenues have increased by nearly 64 per cent during the past three years.
Some agreement clauses focus on discounted rates and fees, rental rate increases, payment schedules, scheduling of turf, refunds and cancellations, complimentary exclusive spaces, food and beverages, advertising and marketing, insurance, financial reporting, maintenance and repairs, capital expenses and termination of the agreement.
Of note, with discounted rates and fees, the Selects will continue to receive a 15-per-cent discount on all minor building rates and fees as long as the program books a minimum of 500 hours annually, according to the agreement.
This adjustment will result in a reduction of $15.30 per hour for a quarter section of turf and would see the Selects pay $86.70 per hour instead of $102 per hour.
If the program fails to meet that number, the city will apply the regular rates, the report added. Also, the discount is not expected to affect overall revenues since the Selects are expected to “substantially” increase the number of hours they book.
“This is a great agreement. This is a very good use of that facility and what it was envisioned for,” said Coun. Patrick Boyle. “There are a number of families who come to this on a number of weekends who do generate economic activity in the City of Moose Jaw … because they are coming from across Saskatchewan.
“And this program has grown, and is it great for minor sports, and minor football in general in Moose Jaw and Saskatchewan.”
Coun. Dawn Luhning asked administration why it presented this report after the contract had lapsed instead of before, with recreation manager Scott Osmachenko saying that negotiations with the Selects took longer than anticipated. However, administration will start negotiations in June 2027, so this won’t happen again.
The next executive committee meeting is Monday, Dec. 16.
