A media conference today at the Credit Union Place was the site of thunderous applause when it was announced that the Storm would return to Summerside for the 2012-2013 NBL season.
Duncan Shaw and Darren MacKay confirmed the signing with the Credit Union Place for next year just after 1:30pm in front of the Storm Center.
The day kicked off with a parade of young children marching into the building led by Summerside native Ken Trenholm who was the man behind the petition to keep the Storm in Summerside which obtained nearly 700 electronic signatures.
Bill Schurman opened the press conference by speaking about the community aspect of the team. ”Sarah Fraser from CBC asked me Duncan and Darren what our record was last season and none of us had any idea, and I’m proud of that. This year we weren’t focused on wins and losses but building a relationship with the community, and I think we’ve done that quite well.”
Ken Trenholm then spoke about the value this team has to the community and his family. Trenholm said that he considers Storm games as family time between him, his wife, and his kids which was why he fought so hard to keep them in Summerside.
Mayor Basil Stewart opened his speech by congratulation the team on their early success and finally signing a deal with the arena. He then proceeded by thanking Duncan and Darren for having the patience and confidence to re-sign with the city for another year. ”I’ve met with representatives from other cities that have NBL teams and they’ve all agreed that the Storm are lucky to have a building as refreshing as the Credit Union Place.”
Duncan Shaw finished the conference off by explaining all of the fan support they’ve received not only from Summerside but all of West Prince was a driving force in getting a deal signed. ”I’ve talked to people from every corner of the Island and they all agreed that Summerside is where this team belongs.”
In an interview with the Journal Pioneer Shaw said; “you can’t put a dollar figure on the fan support. Could you build it somewhere else? Maybe. But you have it, and it’s such a huge thing to have that you don’t want to mess with it unless you have to.”
