It鈥檚 been a month since Mike Gould told the world he would give Kimberley鈥檚 junior hockey club $7.5 million, but so far, the team says it hasn鈥檛 seen a dime.
Gould, who grew up in Kimberley, made the announcement right before the Kimberley Dynamiters hosted Grand Forks at their civic centre on Oct. 13. The 700-strong crowd at the game was abuzz before the puck dropped, and then went wilder still when the home team won.
READ MORE: Kimberley man pays it back to home town
It was a commitment heard round the country, and was the talk of the news cycle for the next few days, as media around the country broadcast the story.
Gould had said he was looking for a way to give back to the community he loves, and it occurred to him that with his love of hockey, it was a natural fit.
But this week, the Dynamiters鈥� board of directors put out a statement, saying that the 鈥渃ommitment promised鈥� to them team and the club 鈥渉as not been received.鈥�
Curtis McLaren, president of the Kimberley Minor Hockey Association, also put out a statement saying the rumours of the large donation have prompted a downturn in donations from others.
鈥淲e felt that it needs to be clarified that there has been no money donated to the association or its members,鈥� McLaren wrote. 鈥淲e are asking the public for its continued support as we rely heavily on donations and grants to keep minor hockey fees affordable for our members.鈥�
Reached by telephone, Gould responded to questions about the passage of time.
鈥淚鈥檝e had some issues, and I鈥檝e had some family maintenance issues that I鈥檝e kept quiet, but I guess everybody needs to know everybody鈥檚 business I guess,鈥� Gould told Black Press.
鈥淚 understand where it鈥檚 coming from, but the Dynamiters will have their money within the next 10 days.鈥�
A month earlier, he鈥檇 been reluctant to talk about the money to Black Press, but is quoted elsewhere saying it came from a lottery win and that he鈥檇 have it to the team in about a week.
Gould said he was going to host a party once he contributed the money, saying 鈥渆verybody who wants to come out, or who鈥檝e said something bad about me, come and have some crow pie.鈥�
