Editor, the Times:

It was distressing to read about Abbotsford city council having to pay the Abbotsford Heat $1.7 million as a result of a revenue guarantee that the city negotiated to get the team to play in Abbotsford, and to justify the expense of building the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre.

Instead of giving away a lot of taxpayers' money and getting nothing in return, why couldn't the city simply purchase 100,000 tickets at $17 and send them out with the property tax bills.

Spread over the 38-game home schedule, it would put about 2,600 fans in the stands at every game, give the taxpayers something for their money, and just maybe generate some interest in the team.

R. Mawdsley Agassiz