Michael McLean, owner of the Perth Blue Wings – now a new CCHL2 hockey team, said he’s “very surprised and disappointed” that his proposal was axed by council June 30 for a sports bar at the Perth arena.

A tie vote ensued with Mayor John Fenik, councillors Judy Brown and Ed McPherson voting against the project. Councillors Jim Boldt, Jim Graff and Deputy Mayor John Gemmell voted in favour of it.

What made McLean even more frustrated was that all of council was for the idea, in principle, he said.

This was a private club for members only, similar to what many other communities have in their arenas. Michael McLean

“I was especially disappointed in the fact that Mayor Fenik, councillors Brown and McPherson voted against the motion - after earlier supporting the idea in principal,” McLean said in an email exchange on July 6.

CAO John deRosenroll explained that the mayor has all voting rights as the other councillors. He also indicated that Coun. Riq Turner may have chose to sit out of this debate as he is employed by McLean as host of the Blue Wings hockey games.

The CAO did say, however, that if there is any new information brought forward on this issue, then council has the opportunity to revisit it.

Council can do a “motion for reconsideration,” if new information comes to light that could chance the minds of council members.

“That has happened one or two times in the past year,” deRosenroll said. “But at this time, the overall nature is to respect council’s vote” on this subject.

McLean stated in his email that there was a $100,000 private investment into the area, a place for club members, corporate sponsor, and season ticket holders to relax and enjoy a Blue Wings game.

“It was not open to the general public or children,” he stated.

When McLean approached the town about a sports club in February, the idea passed at all stages, including recreation, committee of the whole and town council with unanimous support, he said.

There was “not one single vote against at any stage,” he noted.

Money and a ton of work was invested in the planning of the club, McLean said.

“We were optimistic. The real loss here is (for) children and youth in our community.”

McLean said thousands of dollars raised through the sports bar were earmarked to sponsor three deserving children in Perth so they could play hockey next season.

“We were going to pay for their skates, equipment and registration. These were three kids who wanted to play, but could not afford the financial obligation.

“This is now gone,” he said.

McLean had tentatively rented the ice at the Perth arena next year for every

Tuesday at 5 p.m. for any children to come out and play hockey for free. There would have been no cost to them.

“We were going to pay for the weekly ice out of the sports club and supervise the weekly games,” McLean wrote.

This has now been cancelled.

“Every nickel of money made from the sports club was going to be donated directly back to children in our community,” he said, including for minor hockey, figure skating, etc.

McLean said he had envisioned this as a win-win for everyone.

“We have worked extremely hard over the past two years to create one of the best 'Family Entertainment' options in our community,” McLean wrote. “Our league leading fan support speaks for itself. We were not going to do anything to damage this reputation or game day experience. This was a private club for members only, similar to what many other communities have in their arenas.”

McLean added that he saw no issues with serving alcohol responsibly at games, “like is done at other sports venues.”