City keeping Titan in Bathurst

Any speculation of the Acadie-Bathurst Titan relocating in the near future were put to an end on Tuesday.

The Titan and the City of Bathurst announced a new financial agreement at a press conference at the KC Irving Regional Centre, a deal that will keep the team in town.

From the press release:

The initial one-year agreement will have the City offer a two-part financial grant to the Titan, including an amount of $75 000 grant, from monies raised through the City’s Accommodation Levy. This grant would also be included in the ensuing five-year agreement. A $100,000 grant from the City’s General Operating Fund will also be offered, $50,000 from the 2021 budget and $50,000 from the 2022 budget. The City will also purchase a Corporate Box that will be used for tourism promotional activities.

In August, The Northern Light reported that the Titan have lost more than $500,000 in each of the past two seasons and a decision on the future of the franchise would be made by Christmas. This deal with the city would appear to ease the financial strains on the team.

The Titan said this summer that the club needs at least 2,500 fans per game to be sustainable. Bathurst is currently averaging 1,574 fans per game this season, the third fewest in the league. The team hasn't surpassed the 2,000 fans per game mark since the 2007-08 season.

Ici pour y rester!

Here to stay! pic.twitter.com/SjCxQLYrMX

— Titan d'Acadie-Bathurst (@ABTitan) November 16, 2021

Bathurst mayor Kim Chamberlain added in the release that long term arrangements will still need to be sorted out.

“Due to the urgency of the matter, we worked intensely to secure the initial agreement," Chamberlain said. "With that said, we will now initiate discussions with the team and our municipal partners to secure a long-term agreement. It is important to note the positive economic impacts of the Titan’s presence is not just felt here in Bathurst, but throughout the region. Therefore, the dialogue with our municipal partners is also important."

This is obviously good news for the QMJHL and especially the five other Maritimes Division teams. Junior hockey franchises are hurting everywhere after the past two years and it wouldn't be shocking to see more deals like this made in the future.