The Western Hockey League has committed to opening a franchise in Nanaimo — if residents vote in favour of building a new events centre.

League commissioner Ron Robison issued a statement Tuesday stating a franchise would be operational in Nanaimo next season if Saturday’s referendum on borrowing $80 million to build the facility is successful.

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“The WHL remains fully committed to delivering a WHL franchise to Nanaimo, either through relocation or expansion, and will move forward to obtain the necessary final approvals should the residents of the City of Nanaimo vote in favour of a new events centre,” he said.

Robison said the WHL and the City of Nanaimo have entered a memorandum of understanding: If a new centre that meets WHL standards is approved, a franchise will enter a 20-year lease and begin playing out of the existing Frank Crane Arena next season.

Frank Crane Arena is home to the Clippers hockey team, which plays in the B.C. Hockey League. The team’s lease with the City of Nanaimo and the arena ends following this season, and team officials have said a WHL team would likely displace them.

Robison would not elaborate on the new team’s ownership, but said it would be of the “highest calibre” and include local investment.

Nanaimo Coun. Bill Bestwick, who supports building the new events centre, said he has not been informed by the league who is in the potential ownership group.

“But this is a clear indication by the league that it will come here,” he said. “And the WHL does not set itself up for failure within a market. It would be very sound ownership.”

The referendum proposes borrowing $80 million for an events centre on derelict city-owned waterfront property on the downtown south side. It would have seating for 5,700 for hockey and 7,100 for concerts.

Don Bonner, a spokesman for the No Committee, called the WHL promise a “desperate attempt to get more Yes votes out.”

He said opponents of the project aren’t against a new arena or a WHL team in Nanaimo. “But this particular project is not in anybody’s interest because of the costs and this being our last bit of waterfront.”

Bestwick said the waterfront site is ideal for a showpiece facility and what it can bring to the city. “I am going to see Elton John this weekend in Victoria,” Bestwick said, adding that performers of that calibre would not be in the capital if not for Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.

Advance voting on the referendum takes place today from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Island Conference Centre.

cdheensaw@timescolonist.com

• For more information on the referendum, go to cnan.ca/2k5qUVX