Report from the Rock: Growlers secure (temporary?) new home

After the messy breakup between the Newfoundland Growlers and the city of St. John’s earlier this week, and the subsequent announcement that the team would be temporarily relocating to Toronto, local fans were not expecting any sort of update on when they’d possibly see their team back on the Rock again for a long time.

And instead we get one about three days later.

Conception Bay South is a town about 15 kilometres outside of St. John’s, their arena is used primarily for minor hockey and adult rec leagues. It has a maximum capacity of just over 1000 spectators, which is a far cry from the 7000 that can be hosted by Mary Browns Centre, but for the sake of playing in front of home fans, it’s a step in the right direction.

The team says that information about how many fans will be permitted, ticket availability and how this situation will impact season ticket holders will be released in the coming days ahead of the home opener on Friday, November 5th.

Additionally, Deacon Sports, the ownership group behind the Growlers announced that they have served a Notice of Default to the city of St. John’s, stating “There was simply no legal mechanism for SJSEL to suspend the current lease agreement and bar DSE from Mary Browns Centre.” The full statement can be read here and we’ll be monitoring this situation for future updates.

Lastly, while this initial homestand will take place in C.B.S. Arena, there is some potential news on the future permanent home of the Growlers on the horizon. In a few weeks, the Growlers owner will be speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Mount Pearl-Paradise Chamber of Commerce on the topic of the future of pro sports in Newoundland. Coincidence? I think not.

More news on that story as it develops. For now, turn up your stereos cuz the B’ys Are Back In Town (sort of)!