Progressive Auto Sales Arena (Photo Courtesy of Sarnia Sting)Progressive Auto Sales Arena (Photo Courtesy of Sarnia Sting)
Sarnia

Sting want new arena deal

The Sarnia Sting Hockey Club wants to renegotiate its terms of use for Progressive Auto Sales Arena before the end of this hockey season.

The OHL team's five-year lease agreement with the city expires June 30.

A letter to city council from president Bill Abercrombie outlined various concerns.

He said the way business is currently conducted when it comes to selling and servicing the luxury suites, has led to a decrease in revenue since the city took over management.

The letter asks the city to reconsider the team's offer to manage the suites.

Abercrombie said he also wants the ticket surcharge being paid by fans to be invested back into the facility to address infrastructure concerns, including roof replacement, new air conditioning and required dressing room upgrades.

Mayor Mike Bradley said he's been concerned about the interaction between the city and the team for the past few years.

"I think the first step is Sarnia City Council, this new one, has to endorse that we want the Sting here," said Bradley. "They've been valuable partners with us for over 25 years. It brings incredible attention to the community, just not in this region, but across the province, across the country and beyond the borders and we need to get the relationship back on track."

Bradley also agreed that upgrades and repairs are needed to the building.

"We want that building to continue to be what it was at the beginning. It was a leadership building across this province as it relates to the OHL," said Bradley.

Sting officials will address their concerns before city council Monday.

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