The Belleville Bulls - Gord Simmonds

Laura Brasseur introduced guest speaker, owner and governor of the Belleville Bulls, Gord Simmonds (photo courtesy of Lola Reid Allin).  Gord is in his 11th year as owner of the Belleville Bulls and is a member of the Board of Governors for the Ontario Hockey League.  He is married and has four children who are gaining their independence quickly.  He has chaired the Rouge Valley Vital Signs Campaign for the Ajax Pickering Hospital Foundation and in 2002 was honoured to be a recipient of the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for his work serving the community.

 

Gord was very pleased to have the opportunity to speak to the Rotary Club of Belleville and provide an update on the Ontario Hockey League franchise.  Thirty-four years ago the OHL started the Belleville Bulls franchise, a valuable asset and the single most identifiable brand.  As owners, it is a daunting responsibility to be involved in the economic engine of small business, but Gord considers himself fortunate because he loves hockey and business.  For over 30 years the Belleville Bulls have helped shape the identify of the Friendly City and the owners continue to feel strongly about the impact the team can have in Belleville and the Quinte Region.  The product - Junior hockey at the highest level and Gord marvels at the determination and work ethic of the players.  Hockey provides amazing memories and the franchise works on and off the ice to provide those memories.  There are four key stakeholders:

Ticket sales are a key matrix and 3,000 are needed per game on average to be economical.  The Belleville Bulls franchise is valuable to this community and have developed good relationships with the City leaders.  The current facility needs to be resolved, not for the Bulls alone, but for the City's future.  There is always room for growth and support of fans and it is the fans who will make the final determination of the future of the franchise.  The team is continuing to invest and communicate that this is the best product for the dollar.  Everyone needs to get a taste of our product.  Nothing comes close to the excitement and experience of attending a hockey game.  There are new ticket packages geared to families and their busy schedules, flex ticket paks, mid week games, etc.  Gord encourages the community to speak up and support the Bulls as part of this community in the future with the return promise that the experience will indeed be exciting!

 

Karen Baker thanked Gord for his presentation, fittingly so as an avid hockey fan.

 

Some of the team members and management with Laura Brasseur and President

Len Kennedy (photo courtesy of Lola Reid Allin).