The Beast launched locally in 2013 following the Brampton Battalion’s departure to North Bay. The Ontario Hockey League club left Brampton after 15 seasons for financial reasons. The Brampton A’s of the National Basketball League of Canada also vacated the Powerade last year in a move to Orangeville.

Apart from the 250,000 visitors the organization claims to have attracted since the inaugural season, the Beast has largely struggled on the ice, finishing 25th out of 28 teams in 2015.

On the financial front, Kaplan said the club has lost $4 million since 2013 and the owners are anxious to turn the team’s fortunes around both on and off the ice.

The Beast signed a multi-year lease to play out of Powerade Centre and pays about $300,000 in rent annually.

If the City purchased the building and didn’t charge the team rent, Kaplan said, the freed-up dollars would help the club financially. Kaplan stressed the team is looking for an agreement “somewhat consistent with other cities,” where the municipality or primary tenant owns the sporting facility.

“We think having the facility in City hands would be extremely powerful and extremely advantageous to everyone,” said Kaplan.

Kaplan suggested failure to score a deal with the City could prompt the team to move elsewhere.

“We want to stay forever in Brampton. It’s the right fit for this team,” Kaplan said. “I think there’s a problem with the current three-way relationship between The Beast, the City and a third-party (Realstar). I think if it becomes a two-way relationship like it is in every other city, there are a lot of other revenue opportunities.”

Kaplan added that continued attendance and sponsorship growth, and the prospect of a naming rights agreement, would help the team stay in Brampton.

Jeffrey said while “no one around the table or in the room that wants to see the Beast leave,” the City isn’t in a position to be making special deals.

The mayor said council would consider the request carefully.