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Technical Corner

Are the NHL Ottawa Senators the Joseph Bruce Ismay of the Ice Rink Industry?

December 15, 2025

A recent request by the NHL Ottawa Senators (Refer to: Senators lobby provincial, fed governments for arena funding | Ottawa Citizen) for financial support is similar to when Calgary went through the same process (Refer to: City reveals it has $818 million in working capital to help pay for new downtown arena | CBC News) to build a new downtown building.  These requests could be the equivalent of Joseph Bruce Ismay (who was an English businessman who was the chairman and managing director of the White Star Ship Line - he was the highest-ranking White Star official to survive the 1912 sinking of the company's flagship RMS Titanic) taking a seat in a Titanic lifeboat as the unsinkable ship sank.

Context - it is important to understand that the NHL does not own any facility but rather is a supplier of one stream of entertainment to these business investments held by shareholders of the building seeking a positive return on this investment. They believe their is some entitlement to a "tax rebate" as the government will be collecting a variety of taxes based on the decision to offer this entertainment in the city thus reducing their expenses and driving up their return on the original investment. They could open up shares to this investment but that would mean less return to primary investors. "Its a big club and you are not in it" - George Carlin

The ORFA continues to raise the concern that Ontario's ice arenas are in crisis with many of these same facilities being the unofficial NHL feeder system which are in their final stages of a typical building lifecycle. On the other hand, the NHL is estimated to generate $6.6 billion dollars in revenue through all business channels (2024 Year In Review Business NHL). There is no doubt that having a professional building can increase a local economy and generate significant tax revenue from local services but the NHL could not survive without the building or the fans who support their brand. A classic case of needing each other.

It is important to note that a request for political financial support is often code for transfer of tax dollars to a private business. Consider that the average person could not afford ticket prices to events held in these venues. It is like supporting an exclusive country club. Consider that not many professional sports support community based recreation. Yes, there are some very small contributions but considering the profits generated at elite sporting levels by all stakeholders - it is a drop in the financial bucket.

Consider taking this same investment being sought in Ottawa and redirect it to community recreation assets that allow fair and equal access regardless of economic status. Playgrounds, trails, sport courts, splash/spray pads and community halls are just some examples of facilities that provide fair and equal recreation opportunities that will result in healthier communities. Healthy communities through recreation have proven to reduce the demand on health care, policing, social services and other similar support systems.

The same business model is often used in the OHL, AHL and other similar leagues. Granted that this is a local political decision. However, the details on such relationships and who is benefiting often lacks transparency through local political leadership and needs a more open public approach (Refer to: Ontario Recreation Facilities Association Inc. - The Future of Recreation Ice Facilities Will Require Progressive Political Leadership). The question to be asked is should taxpayers support these investments? In reality, kids that do not play a sport usually do not watch it.

As a sidebar, I often have communications with ORFA members with a vision to work in these elite buildings. I remind them that there are only 44 NHL home games with lots of heavy lifting between conversions. I have found that many operators who work in this level of buildings usually have some sort of side hustle to help pay their bills. There is no huge signing bonus for the ice crew...and no special seating to events. Suggesting that if you have an OMERS pension plan, it may be best that you stay where you are!

    Comments and/or Questions may be directed to Terry Piche, CRFP, CIT and Director, Training, Research and Development, Ontario Recreation Facilities Association

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