Over the next few weeks I would like communicate with everyone about a number of changes that have taken place over the last couple of years at BIHC and a few that are still planned to happen.
Today though I would like to provide you all with a little more information about the remaining fees due this year.
I am sure most longer term members will be aware that BIHC has operated on a ‘hand to mouth’ basis for a long time. As a committee, we have worked very hard to change this situation over the past two years and return BIHC to a stronger financial position. We have strived to make efficiencies throughout the club and increase our membership. At the same time we have generated a secondary additional income stream by running camps, the summer league and other initiatives, all whilst trying to improve everyones experience at the club and improve our players development. I am pleased to say that we have had great success achieving the goals set out two years ago and we have managed with the help, cooperation and understanding of everyone at BIHC to create an efficient and highly successful club with a strong emphasis on development.
A large part of our plans for the future of BIHC was the need to have the financial resilience to weather any problems the club may encounter in the future – a ‘rainy day’ fund in effect. Well, it was never expected to happen so quickly, but it is now raining and raining hard!
I am pleased to be able to announce that because of these improvements this years remaining instalments of fees due in April and May will be waived for all members on the standard ten instalment payment plan that covers the twelve month period from last summers registration. Please cancel your final two direct debits now as these payments are no longer required. This represents a saving of almost 20% for most people over the course of the year and will mean there will be no further cost for BIHC members to train and skate whenever it becomes possible from now and through summer until next seasons payments before registration for the new season. We ask that all your standard instalments up to and including the March payment are up to date please, as this will allow us to move forward with our budgeted plans and deliver the cost reductions to all.
Obviously it is not yet known when the rink will be able to open and training resume but irrespective of when this happens it is clear that the financial implications of COVID-19 will affect us all for some time yet. It is hoped that it will help everyone by removing any further training costs this season. For those of you that have either paid in full already or pay anything other than the standard monthly payments we will happily refund any overpayments made or adjust any monthly payments remaining so everyone ultimately pays the same. We will be in contact as soon as possible with anyone that requires adjusted payments or a refund.
It is vital to secure the future survival of BIHC that we continue to maintain the efficiencies we have in place and keep the cost base at its current level. As we move forwards into next season we will look at the situation again, reassess and decide how best to move forward. We wish to reassure every member that this is your club and we want it to work at its best for all of you. Our priority will be to ensure that all of our members can continue to skate and play hockey when it is possible and we will help our members to achieve this aim.
The situation that we currently find ourselves in will bring many different stresses to all of us. The committee at BIHC wants to ensure that the cost of ice hockey is not one of those stresses that you face any time soon. We all need to look after and protect our families at this time and our hockey family needs to work together and look after each other too. It is the committee’s aim to assist all of our hockey family however possible. We will be examining every avenue to ensure we can continue to deliver ice hockey in the future to every BIHC family member.
Please everyone, if you have any concerns about your membership in the future months, talk to us. As I said before this is your club and we will try our very best to help make it work for you however possible.
From everyone on the BIHC committee please take care of yourselves and do follow all of the government guidelines.
Paul Ratcliffe
BIHC Chairman
