St. John’s businessman Dean McDonald is scratching his head over the latest development regarding the rejection of an MOU for Mile One and the Convention Centre.
In a release sent out early this afternoon, the City of St. John’s says St. John’s Sport and Entertainment has rejected a proposal presented by the owners of the Growlers and the Edge.
The Growlers are 2019 Kelly Cup champions and the Edge are coming off a highly successful year.
It says the proposal was based on the suggestion that there be no change in the operating subsidy, which the city provides St. John’s Sport and Entertainment, and that it remain at 2018 levels for the upcoming year.
St. John’s Sports and Entertainment says it is open to negotiating long-term lease agreements with both tenants. Councillor Sandy Hickman represented the city on the board.
He says the board reviewed the proposal very thoroughly, but says it didn’t cover all the bases, and says it couldn’t be accepted.
St. John’s Mayor Danny Breen says the city wanted to see a reduction in the operating subsidy, but that remained unchanged in the proposal. Breen says that means no break for the taxpayer.
Dean McDonald with Deacon Sports and Entertainment says they’ll be going the legal route after trying to meet for months to finalize the MOU.
He says both teams are disappointed and he’s not entirely surprised.