Time running out for IceDiggers future in Alpena
Steve SchulwitzThe fate of the Alpena IceDiggers should be known in the next week to 10 days. As the deadline looms to have the team registered with the North America Hockey League, it is still uncertain if the team will remain in Alpena, move to another city or be dissolved.
IceDigger head coach Jack Frietsche told the Multi-Purpose Arena Coalition board that team owner Steve Marks was in town for the two-game homestand in Alpena last weekend and expressed his desire to keep the team in Alpena. Help is needed however, as Marks is looking for assistance in paying for the expenses associated with running the franchise.
"It really is a huge expense for one man to bear," Flietsche said. "We all know how the economy is. We need to get the whole community involved. We need to have someone step in and help finance it for a year. I think it needs to be locally owned and locally operated. There is some interest out there, but it is crunch time. After this week it will be difficult to get another team here. We should know how things play out by next Friday."
Fritsche said he wishes the IceDiggers and the community had a little tighter bond. He said then maybe there would be a little more support.
"I don't think the team has ever really had a relationship with the hockey community here," Frietsche said. "I think we need to be involved with all the user groups and youth hockey program. That really is exactly what it is. Somehow though the IceDiggers have kind of been pushed off by themselves. We need the hockey community and we want to be part of the hockey community."
Frietsche said because he is new to the area and is still in the process of meeting people, it is difficult for him to communicate with people who could help keep the team in Alpena.
"I'm still the new kid on the block," Frietsche said. "It has been my wife and I so far. We really need people to help, conduct fundraisers. We need a larger support staff."
In other business:
- the board voted to move forward with a plan that would upgrade the lights in the arena and make them more energy efficient. The motion also allows the organization to secure funding and hire the lowest bidder from the bid process. M-Pac is expected to work with Lee Shirey of Target Alpena to acquire the needed money for the project.
- the Red Wings' Alumni game generated $1,501 for the arena. That is only a portion of the proceeds that also were shared with Wings Over Alpena and the Alpena Booster Club.
- the rodeo that is scheduled for May 7-8 will feature a concert after the event. The country band will begin immediately after the rodeo concludes. People can purchase tickets to the concert for $6. Cost of the rodeo and concert will be $10 in advance and $12 at the door. The primary sponsor of the event is Perch's IGA.
- other events that will take place at Northern Lights Arena will include a home nuilder's show on April 10-11 and a tractor pull on May 15. There still are ongoing discussions about hosting a comedy show and horseman show this spring.
Steve Schulwitz can be reached via e-mail at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689.
