On Friday night right before puck drop, Ashley Shaw shared some great news for the Dauphin Kings as the club is officially debt-free.
They presented a cheque for $42,031.27 to Dauphin Recreation Services.
The news of being debt-free comes just seven years after the team had a debt of $228,000.00.
“It’s an amazing feeling, this is something that we have been working towards for a long time now,” said Shaw, president. “It’s great to see all of the hard work from current board members, past board members, sponsors, supporters and everyone that has been helping out with this organization.”
Fundraising has always been key to the operations of the Club and the Kings could not have worked through the debt without their great sponsors, season ticket holders, Dauphin Kings Bingo, Comedy Night, their golf Tournaments, 50 for 50 contributors, and every single fundraiser that is put on the organization. The two biggest fundraisers; however, have always been the Tractor Lotto and Ag Project.
For the past 10 years, the Lotto has consistently brought in an average of $110,000, with the largest being $162,000 in 2020. The Club has also raised a lot of funds through the Ag Project. In 2017 the Club leased a ¼ section of land from Gary Sydor and together with Gary and Jeremy, of Intermountain Ag, and all the contributors and suppliers the current Ag Project took shape.
One year later, the Club was successful in securing a five-year lease from the City of Dauphin and the RM of Dauphin for the land that is referred to as the Industrial Park Land. This lease provided the financial stability that the club has needed to move forward.
“Our organization wouldn’t be able to operate without our fundraisers, it’s as simple as that,” offered Shaw.
On the ice, the Kings have clinched first place in the West Division and they’ll play Swan Valley in a first-round best of seven series.