Published: July 03, 2008 11:23 pm      

County OKs look at War Memorial’s finances, potential

EBENSBURG – A Texas-based consulting group will evaluate the Cambria County War Memorial Arena, hoping to find ways to improve the county-owned facility’s finances and enhance its impact on the local economy.

Commissioners approved the study at their meeting Thursday.

The Bassewitz Group will be paid $30,000, plus $7,500 in expenses. The cost will be shared by the county and Greater Johnstown Partnerships.

The Johnstown arena, which is managed by the War Memorial Authority and home of the Johnstown Chiefs hockey team, required a county subsidy of $125,000 last year. It is expected to cost the county $150,000 this year, county Chief Clerk Michael Gelles said.

Asked about possible implications for the Chiefs, President Commissioner P.J. Stevens said part of the study will look at “just how much impact the Chiefs have.”

In June, Chiefs majority owner Neil Smith of New York said he was still searching for partners or new owners who would commit to keeping the team in Johnstown, but no deals were on the table.

Smith has been an owner since 2002 and is a former New York Rangers general manager.

If local people do not invest in the team’s ownership, he has said, the team may leave Johnstown.

Commissioners have said that, although they want to keep the Chiefs in Johnstown, their first concern is how to ensure the arena is a financial asset – not a liability.