City of Owen Sound and Owen Sound Attack Ownership Group Announce a New 10-Year Lease Agreement

Today, Owen Sound Council unanimously approved a new 10-year Lease Agreement with the Owen Sound Attack (Club) that will see the Club continue to call Owen Sound and the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre home. 

The Owen Sound Attack is a member of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). The OHL is regarded as one of the top player development Leagues in the world and continues to be a leading supplier of talent to both the National Hockey League and Canada’s National teams at all levels, as well as U SPORTS (Canadian University) hockey. The OHL consists of 20 member teams, including 17 in the province of Ontario as well as three in the United States. 

The new 10-year lease agreement begins on May 1, 2024, and concludes on April 30, 2034. The lease has an option for a 5-year extension if the City and Club wish to exercise that option. The new lease agreement accounts for the Club’s total annual operational costs associated with using the Community Centre and the J.D. McArthur Arena. Therefore, the city’s general tax levy does not bonus or subsidize any of the Club's required annual operations. The agreement will also have the Club contribute more than $500,000 to future capital needs at the Bayshore Community Centre over the term of the 10-year lease. 

The Owen Sound Attack has a core goal to support and embrace the Owen Sound and Grey-Bruce community, focusing on supporting local community groups, charities, and fundraisers whenever possible. The Club has contributed over the last two seasons alone to more than 150 individual donations of tickets, merchandise, and autographed memorabilia, as well as helped to raise more than $250,000 for local charities including the Grey Bruce Hospice, Georgian Riding Association for Challenged Equestrians, the Owen Sound Emancipation Festival, the Scenic City Order of Good Cheer, Crimestoppers, and the Wheels of Hope Cancer Transportation program through the Hockey Fights Cancer fundraising campaigns.  

For more information, please contact Tim Simmonds, City Manager, at 519-376-4440 ext. 1210 or email tsimmonds@owensound.ca 

Quotes: 

“I want to thank the Owen Sound Attack Ownership Group for their commitment to our great City for another ten years. The Attack are an important part of our identity as a Canadian hockey centre, and vital to the economic and social wellbeing within our community. We look forward to growing this winning partnership.” 

– Mayor Ian Boddy 

“On behalf of the entire Owen Sound Attack organization, I would like to thank the City of Owen Sound Council and staff for reaffirming their continued support of the Attack with this new 10-year lease agreement.  This agreement solidifies our commitment to the city and our great fans, ensuring that we can continue to provide thrilling hockey experiences while allowing us to continue our commitment to supporting community organizations and fostering community engagement for years to come.” 

– Dr. Bob Severs, President, Owen Sound Attack