NEW: Details of lease agreement for Watertown’s new NAHL team revealed

February 21, 2024
Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.–The terms of a lease agreement between the city of Watertown and a North American Hockey League (NAHL) team that would play its home games at Prairie Lakes Ice Arena have been revealed.

The 14-page facility lease agreement between the city and Codington County Hockey Club LLC was obtained by KWAT News. It does not identify the team owners or team name, which remain subject to NAHL approval.

A few of the highlights:

The lease is for five years, beginning July 1st, 2024 and ending on June 30, 2029. The lease will automatically renew for up to three additional five-year terms unless either party notifies the other party of its intent not to renew.

The junior team will pay the city $2,000 rent per regular season game, and $1,000 for each pre-season game.

The junior team will be required to pay the city 10 percent of their net profits per season.

The junior team will be responsible for all ticket sales, while the city would operate all concessions at the arena, with the team getting 25 percent of gross sales.

Additionally, major donors Prairie Lakes Healthcare, PREMIER Bank/PREMIER Bankcard and Watertown Ford Chrysler will have first dibs on purchasing premium seating for all home games.

View the full lease agreement by clicking here: https://www.gowatertown.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/FACILITY-LEASE-AGREEMENT.pdf