Canlan Reports Q2 Results and Continues Quarterly Dividend

Burnaby, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 11, 2017) - Canlan Ice Sports Corp. (TSX: ICE) (the "Corporation") today reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017.

Highlights of Q2 2017:

• Total revenue of $18.6 million increased $0.4 million or 2.4% compared to 2016;

• EBITDA of $0.4 million remained steady with 2016;

• Quarterly loss reduced to $1.0 million from $3.8 million a year ago; and

• Energy management initiatives continued to drive energy cost reductions. Same store utility expenses decreased by $0.2 million or 10.6% compared to 2016.

Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Results

	For the 3 months ended June 30		For the 6 months ended June 30
(in thousands)	2017	2016	2017	2016
Revenue	$18,616	$18,182	$43,763	$42,413
Operating expense	16,869	16,233	34,001	32,564
	1,747	1,949	9,762	9,849
G&A expense	1,299	1,493	2,701	2,749
EBITDA1	$448	$456	$7,061	$7,100
EBITDA per share	$0.03	$0.03	$0.53	$0.53
Depreciation	1,765	1,729	3,546	3,465
Interest	519	775	1,056	1,505
Fee on settlement of debt	-	2,318	-	2,318
Loss (gain) on held for trading financial liabilities	(414)	863	(400)	863
Loss (gain) on foreign exchange	11	(5)	10	(463)
Income tax expense (recovery)	(443)	(1,427)	561	(760)
Net earnings (loss)	($990)	($3,797)	$2,288	$172
Net earnings (loss) per share	($0.07)	($0.28)	$0.17	$0.01

 ¹ Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) is often used as a measure of financial performance. However, EBITDA is not a term that has specific meaning in accordance with IFRS, and may be calculated differently by other companies. Canlan reconciles EBITDA to its net earnings.

Key Balance Sheet Figures (in thousands):
	June 30, 2017	December 31, 2016
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$11,878	$16,335
Property plant and equipment	100,284	101,934
Investment properties	558	566
Other assets	7,249	6,724
Total assets	$119,969	$125,559
Liabilities and Equity
Interest bearing debt	$57,860	$59,006
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	8,498	9,455
Deferred revenue	7,636	12,635
Other liabilities	1,099	898
Total liabilities	75,093	81,994
Share capital and contributed surplus Foreign currency translation reserve	63,6522,779	63,6523,222
Deficit	(21,555)	(23,309)
Total shareholders' equity	44,876	43,565
Total liabilities and equity	$119,969	$125,559

 

Second Quarter Results

(three months ended June 30, 2017 compared with three months ended June 30, 2016)

• Total revenue of $18.6 million increased by $0.4 million or 2.4% compared to the prior year. Same store revenue increased by $0.1 million or 0.6%, principally due to a rise in ice and field revenue and sales from our in-house tournaments;

• Total direct operating costs of $16.9 million increased by $0.6 million or 3.9% compared to prior year. Same store costs of $16.4 million increased by $0.2 million or 1.2% mainly due to higher labour expenses partially offset by lower utilities expense;

• Quarterly EBITDA of $0.4 million remained steady with 2016; and

• After recording $1.4 million of depreciation, finance costs, foreign exchange loss, and income tax recovery, net loss for the period was $1.0 million compared to $3.8 million a year ago. In 2016, included in finance costs was a $2.3 million early debt repayment fee that was part of a refinancing plan.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Results

(six months ended June 30, 2017 compared with six months ended June 30, 2016)

• Total ice and field revenue of $32.5 million increased by $1.2 million or 3.9% compared to the prior year. Same store ice and field revenue increased by $0.4 million or 1.3% principally due to a rise in adult hockey league revenue, contract ice rentals, and instructional programs registrations;

• Total direct operating expense of $34.0 million increased by $1.4 million or 4.4% compared to the prior year. Same store costs of $33.1 million increased by $0.5 million or 1.7% mainly due to higher labour, selling, and repair and maintenance cost, partially offset by lower utilities expense;

• Quarterly EBITDA of $7.1 million remained consistent with prior year. Same store EBITDA of $7.2 million increased by $0.1 million from 2016; and

• After recording $4.8 million of depreciation, finance costs, foreign exchange loss, and income tax expense, net earnings for the period was $2.3 million compared to $0.2 million a year ago. In 2016, included in finance cost was a $2.3 million early debt repayment fee.

"The Spring Summer season of the ASHL is in full swing, including 48 teams in our newest facility in Calgary, Alberta. Facility operating results are ahead of plan, with solid year over year results coming from our seven GTA facilities," said Canlan's CEO, Joey St-Aubin.

"Our investment in new refrigeration equipment and LED lighting fixtures are resulting in measurable reductions in energy consumption and operating costs," added Canlan's CFO, Mike Gellard. "We have spent $2.5 million on capital expenditures so far this year, which was partially funded by accessing $1.3 million of our $5.0 million capital expenditure credit facility. Our $4.0 million capital expenditure program will continue throughout the remainder of 2017." Mr. Gellard also commented on the strong mid-summer balance sheet with over $11.8 million in cash, providing the Company with good liquidity.

"Currently, our facility teams are executing plans to maximize registrations for all our fall and winter leagues. Registrations for the upcoming ASHL season have opened and sold out in four of our fifteen locations," said Mr. St-Aubin.

Dividend Policy

Canlan's Board of Directors has approved the continuation of the Corporation's quarterly dividend policy and declared eligible dividends totaling $0.02 per common share that will be paid on October 17, 2017 to shareholders of record at the close of business September 30, 2017. Canlan's Board of Directors reviews the Corporation's dividend policy on a quarterly basis. Canlan's dividend is designated as an "eligible" dividend under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and corresponding provincial legislation. Under this legislation, individuals resident in Canada may be entitled to enhanced dividend tax credits, which reduce income tax otherwise payable.

Filings

Canlan's financial statements and Management's Discussion & Analysis for the period ended June 30, 2017 will be available via SEDAR on or before August 14, 2017 and through the Company's website, www.icesports.com.

About Canlan

Canlan Ice Sports Corp. is the North American leader in the development, operations and ownership of multi-purpose recreation and entertainment facilities. We are the largest private sector owner and operator of recreation facilities in North America and currently own, lease and/or manage 20 facilities in Canada and the United States with 57 ice surfaces, as well as five indoor soccer fields, and 15 sport, volleyball, and basketball courts. To learn more about Canlan please visit www.icesports.com.

Canlan Ice Sports Corp. is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "ICE."

Caution concerning forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this MD&A may constitute ''forward looking'' statements which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Corporation to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. When used in this MD&A, such statements may use such words as ''may'', ''will'', ''expect'', ''believe'', ''plan'' and other similar terminology. These statements reflect management's current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this MD&A. These forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or underlying such forward looking statements are the effects of, as well as changes in: international, national and local business and economic conditions; political or economic instability in the Corporation's markets; competition; legislation and governmental regulation; and accounting policies and practices. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

For more information:
Canlan Ice Sports Corp.
Michael F. Gellard
Senior Vice President & CFO
604 736 9152