When Seafair Arena was lost in 1996 the Seafair Senior Mens Hockey League become homeless. The good news was, after a shortage of ice time for so many years suddenly several arenas were being built in the Vancouver area, including a multi-rink complex on No 6 Road in Richmond. Their competion, however, was another multi-rink facility just over the bridge in North Delta called the Great Pacific Forum. I was a fabulous facilty with shops, gyms and a sports lounge that rivaled Seafair. Still, being a Richmond league many preferred to stay in Richmond. But money talks and a 26 team league is one that carries a bit of bargaining power. GPF, in all its glory, offered a sweet introductory price and a promise to keep the price lower than Richmond in the following year. A deal was struck to move the Seafair League to Delta, but it was a gentleman's deal and the following year the gentlemen were no where to be found.

In the summer of 1997 there was a change in management at the Great Pacific Forum and all deals were off. Prices were upped and with the season just weeks away, the Seafair League suddenly found itself in a weak bargaining position. At a meeting of the 26 teams it was conveyed that we had little choice to accept the deal. Doug Collins saw it differently. GPF needed Seafair as much as Seafair needed GPF. We could refuse. The Cowboys were the lone voice willing to put the season on the line, and Doug, like his predecessor Hap May, back in 1988, found himself disgruttled to the point of rebellion. There were principles involved here and it was time to make a stand.

Just as it was 10 years earlier, the Cowboys told Seafair they were not returning. This time it stuck. Again, with only a week before season start the team had nowhere to play, except for the Monday Night ice time that Hap May had wisely acquired at Richmond Ice Centre the year before. Fortunately, word travels fast and the Cowboy were given an offer. The 6 team Richmond Industrial Hockey League need a team. It was on over 30 league, which was something the Cowboys had been after for quite some time. The problem was, the Cowboys now had two young players, well under the age of 30 in Derek May and Mike Molema. However, the RIHL made special provisions to exempt these players yet another era began for the Cowboys.