County Sues Hockey Team

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The Allen County Board of Commissioners is suing an out-of-town sports team for almost $10 thousand of what they say is tax payer money. That suit was filed earlier this week in Allen County Superior Court.

It claims Kalamazoo Wings Hockey players were not very gracious guests while in town for a game against the Fort Wayne Komets on December 21, 2008 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. The guest locker rooms had fire damage after the team left.

"When damage is done to a public facility like this, it's important that we at least try to get some restitution from who we feel did the damage," said Commissioner Bill Brown, R-Allen County.

The damage includes a singed and burned handicapped bench, shower head and toilet seat. Additionally, the rubberized floor was damaged along with the walls and floors in the shower.

County officials say repairing the floor, and the epoxy coating on the walls will cost more than nine thousand dollars. That's money that, for now, the Komets have coughed up, as mandated in their lease with the Coliseum. However, county officials feel ultimately, whomever did the damage should foot the bill.

Kalamazoo Wings Owner, Wade Welsh did not return NewsChannel 15's call for an interview. He did speak on the subject to NewsChannel 15's partner in news The News Sentinel, though. He denied the team vandalized the locker room. He also said he thought the whole situation had been resolved.