Where will the Express call home next season

by Shaun Garrity

The Windsor Express reached has second round of the playoffs in the National Basketball League of Canada, but there are concerns about where the team will play next year.

“The only thing we’re worried about is getting through the semi-finals, all that stuff will get figured out at the end of the summer. Right now were focused on winning a championship,” said Matt Dumouchelle, director of basketball operations for the Windsor Express.

Still there are rumors that the team may be moved to St Clair College’s new SportsPlex. Another possible destination could be Caesars Windsor. The Express held a season game at Caesars Jan. 15, which was a sellout crowd.

“We don’t know where we are next year, we don’t have a home right now,” said Dartis Willis, CEO and owner of the Windsor Express. While the SportPlex is a possibility, nothing has been confirmed.

“Far as I know it’s just a rumor,” said Jay Shewfelt, Athletic Co-ordinator at St. Clair College.

The team continues to win games despite the uncertainty of where it will play next year. It was a monumental year for the Express when they set a new season league record with 12 consecutive wins.

The Express is entering its second season as a basketball organization. With Windsor being primarily a market for hockey, filling seats and developing a fan base for basketball is not an effortless task. However, the Express management said the attendance is gradually improving and fans are showing up more frequently.  Frank Mart, NBL of Canada freelance journalist, produced an attendance report for 2013 and 2014. Last year the WFCU Centre attracted about 550 fans per game and in 2014 the average grew to 706 fans.

Willis said he hopes fans will continue to support the team and appreciate what the city has in a professional basketball franchise

“We would like to see 2,000 (fans),” said Willis.

The location can play a major role in tickets sales. The WFCU Centre is home of the Windsor Spitfires, which could be affecting sales.

“Windsor’s been very different, we do not know what to expect out of Windsor when it comes to attendance out of that arena,” said Willis.

The Express is entering the second round with the best record in the league (29-11). The team is the number one seed overall insuring home court advantage throughout the playoffs. Sunday the Express face the London Lightning, the team is down 2-1 in the series.

Strength and Conditioning coach for the Windsor Express, Shane Topalovic, said to proceed to the next round they have to stay focused.

“We have to make sure we take care of every challenge that comes in front of us,” said Topalovic.