Registered: Mar 2006
Location: New Westminster
Posts: 1215

http://www.mytelus.com/sports/artic...icleID=2359368&

Competitor fees going up, and the provincial associations are annoyed because they weren't consulted.

I think the headline should read "Dave Parkes pisses off more curlers"

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My favourite part was where it stated that Parkes couldn't be reached for comment because he was on vacation... That wasn't too far after the part where it talked about the hefty raise he received last year. Good timing...

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I've gotta agree with Mr. Martin on this one... Despite the financial difficulties the CCA has experienced over the past couple years, the fact remains that playing in CCA events is VERY moderately priced compared to other competitions and other sports.

I agree that from what I've seen there has been some mismanagement of funds in the past, but all that aside, we need to appreciate how lucky we have to get away with only paying $15 in the past.

Here's to hoping the coming years see a little more financial success for the CCA so that we may be able to see the rate come down again - but until then, I'll continue to pay the fee despite growing student loans, bills, and bonspiel entries.

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Registered: Mar 2005
Location: Calgary
Posts: 599

I agree with Kevin Martin, in that the fee is small and that an extra $10 should not make that big of a difference. The bigger difference is now having to pay for each event entered ... but that makes sense too - you want 3, you have to pay for 3.

What I think most curlers disagree with is the principle of the matter. We are being asked to pay more and we are not seeing the accountability. There is no way to see how the money is being spent. We see mismanaged TV deals, raises given to "The Man" after a lack of performanc, and now hikes in fees.

The dollar amount per person is reasonable, but until curlers can SEE the accountability, changes like these will be met with negative response.

On that note I would like each person who reads this post to send me $10. Hey ... it works for the CCA.

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Registered: Mar 2006
Location: New Westminster
Posts: 1215

quote:

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Originally posted by Unregistered
My favourite part was where it stated that Parkes couldn't be reached for comment because he was on vacation... That wasn't too far after the part where it talked about the hefty raise he received last year. Good timing...

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Registered: Dec 2004
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 247

quote:

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Originally posted by Deucey
I agree with Kevin Martin, in that the fee is small and that an extra $10 should not make that big of a difference. The bigger difference is now having to pay for each event entered ... but that makes sense too - you want 3, you have to pay for 3.

What I think most curlers disagree with is the principle of the matter. We are being asked to pay more and we are not seeing the accountability. There is no way to see how the money is being spent. We see mismanaged TV deals, raises given to "The Man" after a lack of performanc, and now hikes in fees.

The dollar amount per person is reasonable, but until curlers can SEE the accountability, changes like these will be met with negative response.

On that note I would like each person who reads this post to send me $10. Hey ... it works for the CCA.

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Good one...

You're right... the big issue for me isn't the amount, but the fact that the CCA is not being up front about the purpose of the increase.

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If anyone reading this can get me a copy of the CCA's audited financial statements, I'll pay all your fees for the entire year. Seriously.

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Can someone help me understand what the CCA is asking for here? Do they want me to pay $25 fo each stage that I qualify for on the road to the Brier? For example $25 for Zones, $25 for last chance qualifer, $25 for provincials???

Or do they want $25 for each provinical event I enter, for example $25 Brier playdowns, $25 Mixed playdowns, $25 for senior playdowns?

The first senario is bs, if that's what they're asking for, I"m pissed.

The second senario is good in my opinion and very resonable.

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It's $25 per event (your second scenario).

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Registered: Sep 2002
Location: vernon bc
Posts: 1391

Omigod! Are we seriously stressing out about an increase of $10.00 to our competitor cards and that we might now have to puchase a card for each different playdown event we enter?

Honestly folks, $10.00 and $25.00 is less than the cost of a six pack or dozen beer respectively (well, in BC at least-LOL)-to put things in a perspective that we curlers can understand.

And if your team isn't going to enter playdowns for that small, teeny, extra amount when you're happily shilling out $1,000.00 a pop to enter your average cashspiel every 2nd or 3rd weekend (not to mention all your other associated costs), then I'd have to say that's pretty poor budgeting on your part-or maybe just an excuse to back out gracefully cuz you're afraid of losing.

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Registered: Jan 2005
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I don't think anyone is really peeved at the increase in costs... its more that the CCA is a complete disgrace to Canadian sport.

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quote:

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Originally posted by jamcan
Omigod! Are we seriously stressing out about an increase of $10.00 to our competitor cards and that we might now have to puchase a card for each different playdown event we enter?

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Registered: Sep 2002
Location: vernon bc
Posts: 1391

Unregistered wrote:

quote:

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It's not the amount. Provincial associations and individuals are upset at the manner in which the CCA did this. No consultation, no warning.

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Registered: Jan 2004
Location: Milton, Ontario
Posts: 1139

Oh please

Between inflation and the increasing cost of running events, bumping up the fees a couple bucks is not exactly a major hit to anyone. Every few years the fees are bound to go up anyway. As for not consulting the provincial associations, who really cares? The CCA does not require the approval of the provincial associations. They made them aware once the fee was raised.

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So how large was Dave's pay raise/performance bonus anyhow?

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quote:

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Originally posted by jamcan
So, is it okay for the OCA to increase entry fees and the CCA to not up competitor cards to help pay for national championships? I sense a double standard in what you write here.

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Registered: Mar 2005
Location: Calgary
Posts: 599

quote:

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Originally posted by jamcan
Okay, I hear what you're saying. But is the CCA required to tell the Provincial Associations something like this? Obviously not, or they wouldn't have done it. Having said that though, you then wrote:
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Registered: Mar 2006
Location: New Westminster
Posts: 1215

You would think the board of directors, which is elected by the provincial organizations would have some overseeing power to reign in or fire people if appropriate.

So, either things are appropriate and we on the outside just don't have all the information, or the board has no teeth.

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That argument is all very well but...

The CCA Board of Directors is built from representatives elected from the various provincial governing bodies. So while we all may want to complain that the CCA is 'acting like a dictator' (which in fact it certainly isn't), it is our very own provincial delgates/representative that approved this fee hike.

So in essence, you elected your club delegate who elected your CCA rep at your provincial associations AGM.

The thing to remember is this is an increase of $10.00 to your competitor card and you now have to have a card for each playdown you enter. So you're only adding $10.00 or $25.00 to your budget compared to the $200-300.00 your provincial association charges you for playdown entry. Who then is the lessor evil?

Kevin Martin is correct, we have gotten off pretty easy and curling remains one of the least expensive sports you can play and become a national champion.

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Registered: Mar 2006
Location: New Westminster
Posts: 1215

That would depend on the constitution of the organization, which I am admittedly unfamiliar with.

The boards I'm most familiar with (corporate world) usually have no involvement in day to day running and instead deal with the general policies and hiring or firing of the executive employees.

I don't know if a fee hike would count as a day to day activity involved in implementing the plan, or if it'd deal with the actualy plan.

But, I also know from my curling club that some boards are much more involved in the day to day things.

Basically, either way, the provinces have agreed to the policy, or they continue to trust Parkes in his decisions and he made the decision.

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I will have to pay $75 to the CCA to enter three playdowns next year instead of the $15 which was the cost last year. That's a pretty impressive raise in revenue for the CCA if most players go along with the new rate. It should be called the " we screwed up the TV contract" surcharge.

The obvious outcome will be that the provincial associations will make less money due to a lack of participation in provincial playdowns while the CCA will make more money due to the large increase in competitor cards.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Unregistered
So how large was Dave's pay raise/performance bonus anyhow?

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Registered: Sep 2005
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I would love to see the reaction of the people defending the CCA get their home owners or car insurance raised by 60%. I am sure that you would defend your insurance company the same as the CCA. Don't let the CCA's Enron financial statement fool you, they say the lose money on this but you cannot tell me that they don't make a profit from the Brier alone.

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some people might say that comparing the CCA to Enron is outrageous, inflammatory, and slanderous........ I however, would say you're correct

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Registered: Sep 2002
Location: London, Ontario
Posts: 2202

quote:

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Originally posted by Rain Man
I would love to see the reaction of the people defending the CCA get their home owners or car insurance raised by 60%. I am sure that you would defend your insurance company the same as the CCA. Don't let the CCA's Enron financial statement fool you, they say the lose money on this but you cannot tell me that they don't make a profit from the Brier alone.

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