I have noted the report concerning the deficit for The Heat and will again state what I have mentioned in previous years.
The AHL is part of the NHL and while it might be sport it is definitely a business and as such does not deserve neither should it ever be considered for any guarantee. The taxpayer should never be asked to guarantee income for any business and that is absolutely true for any part of the NHL.
Every year we receive reports of the increase in value of the various hockey teams and that value is for the owners, all of whom do not need contributions from my pension. When the NHL can afford to pay its players millions of dollars each, they definitely do not need or deserve any contribution from the taxpayer.
Mention has been made of the possible – but highly unlikely – transfer of the agreement to the farm team of the Vancouver Canucks. That is totally irrelevant and is simply an attempt to avoid the statement in my first paragraph.
The council members and mayor at the time of this totally irresponsible agreement should hide their heads in shame. If I want to start a business or continue my business it is definitely NOT the responsibility of the taxpayer to guarantee me anything.
Rather than making claims that efforts are being made to increase attendance, council should use every means at their disposal to cancel this agreement. If the NHL and their owners were responsible and had any credibility they would step in and ensure the agreement is terminated. As it is the taxpayer will be forced to pay a minimum of $12,000,000 over the ten year agreement.
Frank Wirrell
