Debts continue to mount for Maine Nordiques owners

LEWISTON (WGME) – The Maine Nordiques are back on the ice, but their owners still have some unpaid bills.

Nate Bostic is the President of Mill Town Sports and Entertainment, the new managers of the Lewiston Colisee. He claims that Shift Sports and Entertainment, the current owners of the Nordiques and former managers of the Colisee, owe about $225,000 in debt to the city, Colisee staff, junior hockey players and local businesses.

“I’ve heard complaints, yes, they haven’t been paid,” Bostic said.

In July, Bostic announced the Nordiques would not be welcomed back to the play their home games at the Colisee this season. He said their return would only be made possible if Shift Sports agreed to pay off its unpaid bills.

Now, the Nordiques play four miles down the road at the Norway Savings Bank Arena in Auburn.

The season has already started, but several former staff members are still waiting for their paychecks.

Bostic says about half a dozen staff members who previously worked for Shift currently work for Mill Town.

“We’ve heard the good and the bad. We’re trying to make this great. And in those conversations, there has been a lot of unpaid debts within the city and for community members, local businesses,” Bostic said.

Shift Sports has not responded to our request for comment.

The City of Lewiston claims they also have not heard back from Shift.

A city spokesperson tells WGME that Shift owes Lewiston $13,000 in unpaid bills for services like water, sewer and security. That total was due on July 21, and a payment has not been made since.

As the wait goes on, Bostic doesn’t know if they will ever get their money back.

“We’re at the point now where we’re just looking towards the future and doing the right things on a day-to-day basis,” Bostic said.

Caleb Lebrie worked for Shift last year. Now, he works for Mill Town as a coach. Lebrie says while he’s also waiting for a paycheck, he’s moved on.

“We’re trying to change the image that’s been in this rink for the last couple years,” Lebrie said. “We still enjoy when we come here, even on the bad days.”

While the Nordiques play in Auburn now, junior hockey isn’t going anywhere in Lewiston. The Lewiston Maineiacs will return to the Colisee this season.

The Maineiacs play their home opener on Friday.

Bostic adds they have spent about half a million dollars in renovations at the Colisee for parking, lighting, locker rooms and a new sheet of ice.