The Burnaby Express are literally and figuratively at a crossroads.

Literally because they play out of Bill Copeland Arena, which is on Kensington Avenue at Joe Sakic Way between the freeway and Lougheed Highway. Figuratively because the B.C. Hockey League team that has been suffering from declining attendance is heading into the fifth year of a five-year lease with the City of Burnaby.

If the club, which plays its home opener against the Powell River Kings tonight (7:30 p.m.), wants to move for the 2010-11 season it must apply to the league by Dec. 1.

“In a perfect world we would want to stay in Burnaby,” said Pat Delesalle, who heads a 10-man ownership group. “A lot of the owners have roots in Burnaby.

“People don’t understand this is a very good product, a very affordable product. We have to look at our options. It’s not our first option to move because it costs us money to move. But we need fan support, we need corporate support and we need a better relationship with Burnaby.”

The Express moved to Copeland after four seasons in Coquitlam. While attendance at that time was around 1,000, last year it hovered at a few hundred less than that.

“There were things said mostly by politicians and hierarchy at city hall [five years ago], and we haven’t seen that enthusiasm. We haven’t seen the love,” said Delesalle. “We’re not sure they really care if we leave. Some people say they care, I’m not sure.

“For the ownership to be continually going into their own pockets, developing young men in Burnaby, it’s getting strenuous. We’ve lost a lot of money here, and it comes a point in time where it’s strictly a business decision.”

Delesalle said if the Express leave the city will not only lose revenue but, more importantly, will lose image because the Express travel throughout the province.

“We’re doing a pretty good service to the community, at our expense,” he said. “We need some financial consideration. We need a better rapport with the powers-to-be in operational things.”

The Express is upset much of the parking lot on the east side of Copeland has been taken over for machinery processing the dredging from Burnaby Lake. Having to park 200 or 300 yards further away and walking down a poorly-lit road in miserable weather conditions may deter spectators from coming, said Delesalle.

“The parking is an issue, not just for the Express but all the users of Copeland,” said Burnaby parks director Dave Ellenwood. “I understand Pat’s frustration, but we’re working on it. Hopefully we’ll come to a resolution that either accommodates some of the parking need, or addresses it in some other way like a rent abatement.”

Ellenwood said the city has done what it can for the Express during the five years.

“Their rental deal is a good deal when you look at it in terms of the marketplace. It’s not giving the farm to them, but we’re not holding them for ransom at all. It’s the real cost for providing the facility. And that’s what we are, we’re a facility manager,” Ellenwood said. “I’ve said this many times before, and I’ve said it to Pat, we cannot sell tickets for them.

“We certainly hope something is successful for them.”

Ellenwood said the existence of Copeland does not hinge on a BCHL team being there because it has in the past. “The facility would continue to exist, but I would be disappointed if they left.”

Delesalle said the corporate support hasn’t been what the club felt it would be, which disappoints him because he believes such things as board signage is affordable and worth the investment because 400,000 people go through Copeland annually.

He also feels Burnaby youth haven’t been involved as much as the owners expected.

“These kids should all be aspiring to be a Burnaby Express player. You don’t see a lot of participation from minor hockey here. I guess the Xbox is too much of a competitor,” he said.

ggranger@burnabynewsleader.com