Kuzma: Abby arena is Aquilini’s kind of deal

Where there’s smoke, there’s usually some fire.

The smouldering rumours of Francesco Aquilini having interest in purchasing the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre and eventually relocating the Vancouver Canucks’ AHL affiliate to the Fraser Valley have sparked speculation because it would make fiscal and logistical sense for the ambitious NHL owner.

As much as everybody was trying to toss cold water on the concept Monday — Canucks Sports and Entertainment choosing in a statement to champion its minor-league arrangement with the Chicago Wolves that has a year remaining, and Abbotsford city manager Frank Pizzuto stressing that the AESC is not on the market — striking a deal with the parent Calgary Flames to relocate the Abbotsford Heat, and the Fraser Valley Sports and Entertainment Group that has AHL approval to ice a team in the area, might also ease the financial strain on the City of Abbotsford and its taxpayers.

The only other arena tenant is a Lingerie Football League team scheduled to start play this fall in the $66.2-million facility, which also houses concerts and trade shows.

Three years into a 10-year supply fee agreement that guarantees the Heat a break-even point with its annual budget of $5.7 million, crowds have shrunk and shortfalls have skyrocketed to the point where the operation is simply off the rails because poor gates have a trickle-down effect to taxpayers.

Opened on May 10, 2009, the 7,046-seat AESC has seen average Heat attendance drop from 3,897 to 3,545. And because of the supply fee agreement, shortfalls have risen from a reported $450,000 in the 2009-10 season to $1.37 million in 2010-11, and are projected to be $2.83 million for last season when numbers are revealed next month. They could be delivered during a hockey board meeting Sept. 7, with Flames president Ken King expected to be present.

Regardless of the disturbing numbers stacking up in favour of an AESC sale to lower the facility’s debt load and potentially reducing operating costs by attracting a minor-league affiliate associated with the Canucks, the NHL club only offered the following statement:

“Canucks Sports and Entertainment maintains a strong, ongoing relationship with their AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. The club will not address speculative reports or discuss the partnerships of other NHL teams. No further comment will be provided at this time.�

Pizzuto was more blunt. He said he has no knowledge of discussions between Aquilini and the City of Abbotsford and that this isn’t the first time rumours have risen of a potential buyer and arena sale.

Pizzuto didn’t return a call from The Province on Monday, but told the Abbotsford News that he wasn’t aware of any talks about purchasing the AESC.

“It’s not on the market,� he said. “I don’t know where that comes from.�

As for a switch in hockey tenants, Pizzuto clarified that conversation wouldn’t involve him.

“We have a contract with Calgary and discussion would have to take place between Vancouver and them [Flames],� he said.

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