The organizers of Brantford’s Hockeyfest have filed a lawsuit against the Grand River Conservation Authority, seeking $12 million in damages. Organizers say the GRCA breached its contract with the music festival after it withdrew the Brant Conservation Area as the venue.
In May, the GRCA stated it had to withdraw its support for the event after Brantford Police did the same for security issues. Today, the GRCA told CTV News it could not comment on the lawsuit because it is being handled by their legal team.
Hockeyfest promoter Ralph Spoltore says the lawsuit is not just about him and his team, but everyone who was committed to the three day event.
“We’re fighting the good fight for those people. So all the suppliers, all the vendors, all of the sponsors, and the ticketholders,” Spoltore told CTV News.
Spoltore says he and his team are working hard to make sure Hockeyfest can go on at a later date, but added that nothing is confirmed at this time.
But not all ticketholders are convinced Spoltore’s lawsuit is for the greater good of everyone involved.
“It seems like he’s trying to take care of himself, that’s the way I looked at it,” ticketholder Cindy Cipriano told CTV News.
Several other ticketholders voiced their anger on Twitter. @RichieRoby tweeted “Who didn’t see the #Hockeyfest lawsuit coming? You knew Spoltore had to find a way to repay everyone.”
