Stagnant lease talks leaves Clippers future in Nanaimo unclear
NANAIMO — The Clippers won’t be displaced by a Western Hockey League (WHL) team, but their future in Nanaimo depends on smooth contract negotiations with the City.
The Clippers’ lease at Frank Crane Arena and an advertising revenue agreement with the City both expired this year. With the events centre dominating focus for the last six months, only limited talks on a new deal have taken place.
“It’s been one of my highest priorities to get this lease renewed since I came aboard last summer,” David LeNeveu, Clippers president, told NanaimoNewsNOW.
LeNeveu said Clippers owner and governor Ken Wagner is headed to Nanaimo to take part in discussions, expected to get going this week. “We’re waiting for them (City) to confirm the meeting. We have our idea how we’d like to proceed with it. They haven’t come back to us with how they want to proceed so we’re just waiting on that.”