The Battlefords North Stars. (Byron Hildebrand/Facebook).

By Kenneth Cheung

RENEWAL OF LEASE AGREEMENT

Puck drops on new lease as North Stars secure home through 2028

Jul 16, 2025 | 9:03 AM

North Battleford city council has approved a new three-year lease agreement Monday for the Battlefords North Stars Hockey Club, ensuring the junior team can continue to call the Access Communications Centre home through 2028.

The new lease takes effect Aug. 1 and runs until July 31, 2028. It includes modest annual rental rate increases for ice time, exhibition games, league games and playoff matches.

Rates for regular season games will start at $1,281.65 per game for the 2025–26 season and rise to $1,320.40 by 2027–28.

Exhibition games will cost $848.65 per game next season, while training camps and practices will range from about $85 to $140 per hour, depending on the time slot.

The agreement also includes updated occupancy limits, new security measures and revised rules for scheduling ice time. The club will continue to have exclusive use of designated dressing rooms, offices and storage areas, and can hold fundraising events free of charge under certain conditions.

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Council also received a separate request from the North Stars to reinstate an annual $6,000 operating grant that was removed from the new lease. In a letter to council last month, club president Kyle Kellgren said the grant is needed to help offset rising travel, equipment and facility costs, while keeping ticket prices affordable for local fans.

Deputy Mayor Coun. Bill Ironstand voiced his support for the team, calling the North Stars “such good citizens of our community.”

“The Junior Hockey Club brings in millions of dollars in revenue to our city every year from visiting teams, hotels, meals, families and they bring a lot of pride to our city,” Ironstand said.

“So as a Council and Administration, we’re going to do everything we can to help them succeed.”

He added the new lease shows both sides are committed for the long term.

“That tells us that the North Stars and junior hockey have faith in the Battlefords and us. We’re working together on a new facility in the future to even further cement that relationship.”

“It’s hockey. It’s our game, and there’s so much pride in that team.”

Council did not make a decision Monday during its regular meeting on whether to continue the grant, but the club’s request could come back for discussion through the city’s community financial assistance grant later this year.

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com