Richard Froese
Express Staff

The Falher Pirates are raising excitement in the region in advance of their return to the North Peace Hockey League for the 2007-2008 season after a seven-year absence. Pirates unsure when seating at Falher Regional Recreation Complex will be ready for playing home games However, the team is unsure when the Pirates will have their first actual home game at Falher Regional Recreation Complex, with a delay in spectator seating. “We have nine of our 14 home games before the new year,” says David Chapados, club president. “Depending on the time line for arrival of the bleachers, we may have to play some home games in arenas in surrounding communities, fi there’s ice time available.” “Fans need somewhere to sit and enjoy the games,” Chapados emphasizes. The Pirates are scheduled to play their first home game on Nov. 16 when they host the defending NPHL Campbell Cup champions Peace River Stampeders. Falher opens the season on the road this Thursday – Nov. 8 – when they visit the High Prairie Regals. A shortage of material is delaying construction of the seating component, according to club treasurer Shawn Gervais, who recently contacted the manufacturer in the United States. “From a business standpoint, it doesn’t make sense to play in a facility that doesn’t have adequate seating.” Revenue from home games is vital to raising funds for the operation of the club. “Financial and community support is encouraging,” says Chapados. “We’re still short of our goal of $60,000. “We ‘re hoping to capitalize on the opportunity at home games with ticket sales, 50-50 draws, and merchandising.” A drive for season tickets is a little sluggish. “Season tickets are selling slower than I anticipated,” says Chapados. “I don’t know why tickets are selling slowly.” “We’re hoping sales will pick up.” The last chance for buying season tickets will be at the first home game. Head coach Bob Maisonneuve and the coaching staff have been busy over the past few weeks in training camp, with the roster scheduled to be finalized on Nov. 5. “We’ve got around 25 players, with 90 per cent of them from the local area,” says Chapados. “So it will truly be a local community team.” Players and fans are getting excited to have the Pirates return to NPHL action, he says. “I’m anticipating we will make the playoffs,” says Chapados. “We have a lot of talent on our roster and it will take a while for the team to gel.” Plans are being finalized to unveil the new uniforms with a new logo prior to the first home game. The Pirates continue to seek funding support. “We’re offering a number of different benefit packages in return for financial support of our organization heading into the 2007-’08 NPHL season,” says Chapados. “They range from season’s tickets to print advertising in our team program, and verbal recognition over the public address system during home games.” For more information, contact Chapados at 837-2534, Gervais at 837-7084, or Luc Desaulniers at 837-0416.

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