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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Yellowknife-based online ticket seller YKtix has been ordered to pay $113,000 to the city after money made from ticket sales from the 2008 Arctic Winter Games went unpaid.

Tony Watier owes the city $113,000 from sales of tickets for the Arctic Winter Games through his company YKtix. - NNSL file photo

"We did go to court to obtain judgement on the amount owed," said Carl Bird, director of corporate services with the City of Yellowknife.

The owner of YKtix, Tony Watier, was served with a statement of claim filed by the city and given 25 days to submit a defence Sept. 8, but he did not do so.

Bird explained the claim was filed by the city in Territorial Civil Court after Watier failed to follow through with an agreement made between YKtix and the Arctic Winter Games. A judgment was issued in favour of the city Oct. 4.

YKtix "was to turn over all the money from the sales less the amount of his fee," said Bird. "He didn't do that."

Bird said Watier initially gave the city $70,000 after the agreement to sell the tickets was made. The overall amount YKtix owed to the city for ticket sales was $183,000, leaving $113,000 outstanding.

Bird said the city gave Watier time to pay the money. He was invoiced and "after a couple months he still hadn't paid," Bird said. He said the city sent a reminder letter and then a second.

In August the city decided "enough was enough" and filed with the courts. The court has since ordered a summary judgment in favour of the city.

Even though it was the Arctic Winter Games that entered into the contract with YKtix, it was the city that provided administrative support to the games and acted as host, Mayor Gord Van Tighem said.

He said the "bottom line" was when the games are over "the Arctic Winter Games' assets and liabilities rolls to the city."

YKtix earlier in the year lost a major performing arts venue in Yellowknife, the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC), as a client. Ray Bethke, president of the NACC board of directors, said the NACC had previously held a contract with YKtix "that was terminated last February." He declined to say anything further on the matter.

Bird said the situation is currently being worked out. Watier "contacted us a couple of weeks ago and asked if we would accept a payment plan," said Bird, adding that the plan would be over three years.

"We're still waiting for his response to our suggestion he pay a little more up front."

The Arctic Winter Games took place in Yellowknife from March 9 to 15.

YKtix currently does not have any events posted on its website. Calls to Watier were not returned.