THURSDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2012
BIG BREAK
James Lepp is chasing the top prize on a Golf Channel reality show A25 facebook.com/myabbynews 2011 WINNER twitter.com/abbynews
A B B O T S F O R D abbynews.com
Online all the time. In print Tuesday & Thursday
Heat shortfall hits $1.76M in year three Hockey attendance lags despite extra ‘big city’ marketing efforts Dan KINVIG and Kevin MILLS Abbotsford News
The Abbotsford Heat will cost taxpayers $1.76 million for the 2011/12 season. The city will pay the American Hockey League club that amount to cover its financial shortfall in the third year of a 10year supply fee agreement, which guarantees the Heat annual break-even revenue of $5.7 million to play out of the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre (AESC).
Over the last three seasons, the city has paid the Heat a total of $3.58 million. The deficit was $450,000 in 2009/10, and $1.37 million in 2010/11. “We’re certainly concerned that we are not making the progress that we had hoped to make,” said city manager Frank Pizzuto. “Year one was a $450,000 loss, and we felt that, well, that was year one. Year two got worse and we heard that year three
would rebound and it hasn’t,” he said. “Obviously, the city can’t continue to absorb these losses.” The Heat’s 2011/12 revenues were $3.9 million, as average attendance declined for a third consecutive year – from 3,897 per game to 3,807, and 3,545 last season. The team is owned by the Calgary Flames, and operated locally by Fraser Valley Sports and Entertainment (FVSE),
CLOSING IN ON SUSPECT A7 Social media helps police track accused sex offender to Maritimes
The Fraser Valley Child Development Centre is marking 30 years of helping children and families in the region. Elena Wiens, age 2, is a toddler born with spina bifida. She and her family have been supported by the centre, and Elena’s progress has been steady. Elena’s story illustrates the work of an organization that has grown to serve more than 1,000 children from Abbotsford and Mission east to the Fraser Canyon. See story A4
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RED NOSE VOLUNTEERS A15 Safe ride home needs volunteer drivers, navigators and callers
VIKKI HOPES Abbotsford News
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THOUGHT OF THE DAY
They say that love is more important than money, but have you ever tried to pay your bills with a hug?