The Maple Ridge Burrards have a new owner as the local senior A lacrosse club officially changed hands this month.
Stepping aside will be former owner Bill Hicks, who has run the team for the past decade. Taking the reins will be Tim Germain, who according to general manager Daren Fridge, is committed to keeping the Western Lacrosse Association franchise in Maple Ridge.
“Bill has been a tireless worker, mentor, father-figure and friend to many of us over the past 10 seasons,” Fridge told his players before Christmas in an email. “I know this was not an easy decision for Bill and he will be missed.”
Fridge will stay on as coach, and said Hicks departure has left the club with a big hole to fill.
“Everything Bill used to do himself we’ve divided up among five people,” Fridge said. “He did it all. Some very big shoes to fill.”
Also coming on board will be Lance Andre, who will serve as the club’s president. Andre is also the president of the Ridge Meadows Burrards Minor Lacrosse Association. Fridge said the club hopes to strengthen its ties with the minor lacrosse club, a relationship he hopes will help create a complete talent ladder for local players so they can ascend to the senior A ranks without having to leave town.
“The biggest thing is that we hope to have is an intermediate A or junior A team in the future,” said Fridge.
That future bodes well for both organizations, as there are a number of young players coming up through the ranks.
“If we can retain those numbers and grow them, then the future looks very bright.”
Hicks will still be involved at the WLA-level operation with the club for the next year as part of the transition process.