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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Zoosk “Romance Awareness Month” Survey Finds That Couples Enjoy More …

SAN FRANCISCO, Jul 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — In jubilee of Romance Awareness Month, that is celebrated during a month of August, Zoosk.com, a regretful amicable network, recently surveyed some-more than 2,300 Americans including those who are singular and in a committed relationship, to accumulate their thoughts about complicated day romance. Zoosk’s consult commentary uncover that while a singular life might sound glamorous, couples in committed relations knowledge some-more intrigue in their lives. Specific consult commentary include:

Singles might be some-more carefree, though couples in committed relations have some-more romance!

• 71% of couples contend their poignant other is romantic, while usually 41% of singles on a dating stage contend a same about their “other.”
• 59% of couples are confident with a volume of intrigue in their lives, since usually 20% of singles contend a same.

What is deemed “romantic” changes as your standing moves from “single” to “in a relationship.”

• Couples cite a “hug and a kiss” (41%) over a regretful candlelit cooking (39%) as a many regretful gesticulate from their partner.
• Singles, on a other hand, cite a candlelit cooking (44%) over a cuddle and a lick (32%).
• And while holding out a rubbish but being asked is appreciated, usually 2% of couples and singles, respectively, contend this qualifies as a many regretful thing their partner could do.

Americans agree: intrigue is important.

• 78% of those polled determine that they cruise intrigue in a attribute to be “very important.”
• 20% contend it is “somewhat important” and usually 2% contend it is “not important.”

Americans contend a many regretful arise is their anniversary!

• 42% of Americans contend that an anniversary is a many regretful arise with their other half.
• 34% of Americans contend a summer vacation delivers a many romance.
• 24% of Americans contend Valentine’s Day is a many regretful arise in their lives.

Zoosk recently introduced a Couple Profiles offering, providing a dedicated place for couples to create, store and share their attribute milestones and memories with friends and family. With a ability to share photos and note critical dates in a attribute (such as anniversaries, engagements, etc.), couples are means to request their regretful tour (while never again forgetful anniversary and birthday dates!). When members of Zoosk announce they are in a relationship, they are led to a apart area of a site permitting them to emanate a Couple Profile but a dating functionality that is accessible to singular members.

The Zoosk check was conducted online, among users of Zoosk who reside in a United States, in Jul 2012 and fielded 2,304 responses from people who are singular and in committed relationships.

About Zoosk
Zoosk is a regretful amicable network that helps members emanate and share their regretful journeys, with millions of members from around a creation enjoying a use any month. Zoosk provides members during opposite stages of their regretful tour with a fun and amicable set of collection such as Romantic Moments, Couple Profiles, and a Personals application. Members can simply entrance Zoosk’s services from a website, a Facebook app, mobile devices, and a downloadable desktop application. Zoosk is accessible in 25 languages and has members in some-more than 70 countries. Founded in 2007 by Shayan Zadeh and Alex Mehr, Zoosk, Inc. is formed in San Francisco and corroborated by Canaan Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners, and ATA Ventures.

SOURCE Zoosk

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