http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/news/...706/story.html
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The overall shortfall for the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre is expected to come close to the $4-million dollar mark for 2012.
The AESC's operating deficit has been finalized at $1.9 million in 2012, which was a marginal improvement over the previous year, said Salman Azam, Abbotsford's director of finance.
However, that figure does not include a projected $1.9 million Abbotsford Heat hockey team shortfall anticipated for the club's 2012/13 season.
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Lack of fan attendance has been the persistent reason behind the Heat deficits, which cost taxpayers $1.8 million for the 2011/12 hockey season, $1.37 million in 2010/11 and $450,637 in the inaugural 2009/10 season.
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The city has stated in the past that the arena needs to book about 60 events a year and the Heat must draw 6,000 fans per game to eliminate the shortfall.
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That last quote is what really floors me. That's just complete ill planning on everyone involved in the building of the AESC.
In order to strike even, they need 6000 people per game and 60 events per year. Even with hindsight those seem like lofty expectations in a no fun city like Abbotsford.