MMBL

Important message to All MMBL Players:

 

Late last week we received notice from the York Regional District School Board, the entity that manages our user permits, that our gym permit fees are increasing from an annual total of $4,317.81 to a total of $53,166.50, an increase of 1131% . This creates a $48,848.69 shortfall, which potentially represents an approximate increase of $230 per player for the 2026/2027 MMBL season. For the past 40 years our gym rental rates haven’t changed, and we have been paying the ridiculously low rate of $6/hr which has enabled us to keep our player fees amongst the lowest in the province, something which has historically benefited us all. The new reality is that we will have to pay these new proposed fees from the board or we won’t have a league. We have looked at the fees being charged in other districts and their fees are more in line with the new YRDSB fees.

 

The MMBL Executive (president, vice-presidents and conveners) held an emergency meeting this past Wednesday evening to address the situation. The first question discussed was, “Do we want to continue the league or should we collapse it?” The unanimous agreement was that Wednesday night is our night. It is ours for exercise, camaraderie, fun and the sport we all love.

 

The second question was, “Can we continue the league?” The answer to this question involves you, our league players/ participants.

 

The Executive then reviewed ways in which we could reduce some of our operational costs to facilitate bringing league fees down, while still keeping the character of the league and retaining as many of our permits as possible. Gym space, referees, scorekeepers and their equipment are all indispensable, and required for our operation. All other labour involved in running the league is performed totally by volunteers so other cost savings are minimal.

 

In the end, we felt that we could carry on the MMBL, if we have your support. Otherwise, you’ll have to stay home on Wednesday nights! If we fail to register enough people to maintain the league as it currently exists, we can reduce the number of players from 220 to 160. In that scenario, we can still hold our permits and continue to offer Wednesday night basketball with a reduced number of teams. Below a level of 160 players, we would have to give up the league. In giving up the league by surrendering the permits, it is unlikely that there would be a return of the MMBL in the future, as the permits will likely be assumed by other user groups.

 

Based on the information we have at this time, your player fee for the 2026-27 season will be approximately $530 + hst.

 

As an additional wrinkle to this current issue, the YRDSB will not renew our permits unless the MMBL has officially registered notfor-profit status, which will require us to collect HST. Historically , we have been accepted as a volunteer organization, however that is no longer the case. This is the least expensive category available to us currently, by a wide margin. One advantage to this is that receipts can now be issued, in case you are able to submit the receipt under some health benefits offered by your employer.

 

This has come as a shock to everyone involved. We had no advance notice of this change and we are moving quickly to resolve this critical issue which is jeopardizing our historical league. We appreciate all the support you have shown the MMBL through the past 40+ seasons and hope we can continue hooping together for years to come. Wednesday nights hold a special place in our lives and, while many are feeling financial strain during these uncertain times, being on the court with our buddies is one of life’s small pleasures.

 

Warm regards,

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Gerry Filgiano          President

Warren Watson        Vice-President , Convenor Masters

Keith Golding           Vice-President, Convenor Elite

David Fernandes     Convenor Champions

Anthony Petrucelli   Convenor Champions

Greg Filgiano           Treasurer, Convenor Elite

Tom Filgiano            Convenor Elite