Mile One sacks GM as money woes mount

The board running the financially troubled Mile One stadium in downtown St. John's hasdismissed its general manager.

Lisa Neville was let go on Tuesday as general manager, city-owned St. John's Sports and Entertainment said.

"You know, it's kind of a sad day for me, like it would be for anyone," Neville told CBC News.

"But this is part of corporate culture and the current, new board of directors has decided they want to do some restructuring."

City councillors have complained for months that Mile One, which has been losing money since it opened in 2001, continues to hemorrhage cash.

In 2006, its accumulated debt was pegged at more than $7 million.

Sources say financial statements to be released soon are expected to show that Mile One has lost about $600,000 this year alone.

Sources say Mile One was given an unattainable goal to break even, and that Neville was dismissed because she rolled the dice too often on programming choices that wound up losing money.

Neville, who would not comment on the financial state of Mile One, would not say whether she will fight her dismissal.

"I'm certainly not leaving here with any animosity. I'm looking at this as a positive in my career and in my life," she said.

"I'm very, very thankful."

City councillors are refusing to comment on Neville's dismissal because of advice from city solicitor Ron Penney.

Built in large part for Leafs farm team

In an e-mail, Penney said councillors should not speak publicly "to protect the legal interests" of Mile One.

One councillor told CBC News that it is in Mile One's interest to keep quiet.

Mile One was built in large part to house the St. John's Maple Leafs, the former farm team for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

However, the Leafs pulled the plug on the franchise in 2004, and played out the following season. St. John's Sports and Entertainment later reached a deal with a private company to host a new team, the St. John's Fog Devils, which play in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

A year ago, council hiked its annual subsidy by 50 per cent, to $1.5 million.