Re: Heat budget projections.
It is indeed disappointing that after 65 per cent of the season being completed, the city will not inform the taxpayers of Abbotsford as to the Abbotsford Heat’s fiscal budget for 2010/2011.
Please bear in mind we (the taxpayers) are obligated to pay the owners of the club up to $5,700,000 per year under the revenue guarantee program.
On the basis we paid $450,000 to the owners last year, and based on the information provided in the article (including the advice that attendance has reduced 405 fans per game (16,200 annually) year to date, it would appear the taxpayers’ subsidy will increase $45,000 to $50,000 this year.
It was my understanding from previous statements attendance was expected to increase for this season.
The decline in average attendance is more of a concern given the Manitoba Moose have competed their visits for the season, and the anticipated increase in attendance during the holiday season is now a distant memory.
Indication in the article that sponsorship revenue has improved is a positive for us to consider, however, why we were not provided with the details is very disconcerting, i.e. what reason could there be not to tell us, other than “we’re not.”
Barry Bodell