Mosaic Place thought it would have a great 2020 based on its lineup of programming and entertainment, but then the pandemic hit and forced the venue to close for months.
The building was open for the first two-and-a-half months of last year and managed to host a major curling tournament, dozens of hockey games, and two concerts before the lights were dimmed for nearly seven months. During that time, two-thirds of staff were let go while the remaining employees worked on maintenance, found energy-saving efficiencies, and prepared for a fall reopening.
The building then reopened in November while adhering to many pandemic-related health restrictions.
The people business
“We are in the people business. People use the facility. The absence of people comes the absence of revenues,” general manager Ryan MacIvor said during the June 28 regular council meeting while discussing the venue’s annual report.
MacIvor’s report shows Mosaic Place had actual revenues of $1.45 million and actual expenses of $2.6 million for a deficit of $1.17 million. After adding a subsidy from the City of Moose Jaw of $994,760 and subtracting management fees of $142,488, the venue ended with an official deficit of $324,398.
An example of the importance of revenues was seen during the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, which had a huge economic effect on Moose Jaw and Mosaic Place, he continued. According to Praxis Consulting, the event generated $10.1 million in gross output, $5.6 million in gross domestic product, $3.3 million in labour income, and created 116 jobs during the event.
The event welcomed 58,975 fans to cheer on the best female curlers in Canada, while several community groups provided event support, ran the 50/50 booth, and acted as parking attendants.
Meetings and ice time
Mosaic Place hosted 19 conferences, meetings and events and welcomed 1,470 guests when it was open last year, and while other meetings and conferences were rebooked for November and December, there was no uptake for those times, said MacIvor.
The curling centre hosted 253 league games and 8,461 curlers, along with many bonspiels, but Spectra Venue Management Services had to cancel many ’spiels as well, he continued.
Mosaic Place acted as the main community ice surface — Pla-Mor Palace was closed, and $75,000 was saved — and hosted 132.5 hours of recreational hockey and 1,011.5 hours of minor ice time. Overall, the building hosted 399 ice rentals, 40,748 people and 1,144 hours of rentals.
Meanwhile, Mosaic Place hosted the WHL Warriors for nine home games and the AAA Warriors for 17 home games before their seasons were cut short.
Energy savings
Efforts to find efficiencies resulted in a decrease in energy management and natural gas usage, he continued. Mosaic Place reduced its power usage by 37 per cent and saved $189,847.25, while it reduced its natural gas use by 28 per cent and saved $17,477.30.
Reducing natural gas consumption by 91,922.84 cubic metres was equivalent to taking 38,699 passenger vehicles off the road for one year.
Adding some humour to his report, MacIvor noted that the concessions popped 418,880 cups of popcorn during the hockey season, equal to 7,387.78 pounds or nine adult male moose. There were also 756 rolls of toilet paper used, stretching from Moose Jaw to Swift Current, and 76 litres of hand soap applied.
Council discussion
Coun. Crystal Froese appreciated receiving the annual report, saying this is what she wanted months ago when she asked what effect the pandemic had on Mosaic Place and why the building needed a large subsidy when little was happening there.
While the venue reduced its energy costs in 2020, she pointed out that that happened during the quietest months — the summer — when the building was closed. She thought council would have a better understanding over the next few years of how those changes would affect costs.
“We can’t wait to be able to open the doors for the first Warriors’ game on Oct. 1, and I know the first concert,” Froese added. “People are dying to get out and participate in large activities.”
The next regular council meeting is Monday, July 12.
