City of Abbotsford, Canucks Sports and Entertainment announce 5-year extension

/ Uncategorized / By

The City of Abbotsford and Canucks Sports and Entertainment (CSE) have announced a five-year facility extension agreement, meaning that Rogers Forum will continue to be the team’s home through 2031.

The extension was announced by the city and CSE on Thursday (Feb. 5).

According to CSE, the new agreement reflects its partnership with the city and the pair’s shared focus on elevating live events while maintaining a strong connection to the community.

“The City of Abbotsford’s partnership with CSE has been incredibly positive, bringing people together, building community and providing exceptional fan experiences, and we are thrilled to be extending this relationship for another five years,” stated Abbotsford mayor Ross Siemens. “We are proud to have the Abbotsford Canucks continue to call our city and Rogers Forum home and we look forward to welcoming even more live events and unforgettable experiences to our community.”

Abbotsford councillors Les Barkman, Patricia Driessen, Simon Gibson and Dave Loewen went on an arena tour with Canucks management as part of the city’s Business Spotlight series.

“A great update yesterday from the Abby Canucks on their renewed partnership with Rogers, local staffing, and a shared commitment to community,” Driessen shared on social media. “Exciting plans ahead to continue offering a premier entertainment venue for families across the Fraser Valley.”

An update on the city’s website praised the team for being an important part of the community and hinted at the continuation of the partnership.

The original agreement was finalized on June 29, 2021 and the contract officially began on Jan. 1, 2022. It is set to expire at the end of this year.

“The past five years at Rogers Forum have been outstanding, and we are excited to build on that momentum over the next five years through this extension,” stated Jim Kozak, COO of Rogers Forum and alternate governor of the Abbotsford Canucks. “From incredible live events to thrilling hockey games, the atmosphere inside the building has been electric. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the fans and supporters who comprise this passionate community. We are grateful to continue calling Rogers Forum home and look forward to creating even more unforgettable memories with our fans in Abbotsford and across the Fraser Valley.”

As part of the original agreement, the City of Abbotsford pays $750,000 a year to Aquilini Investment Group to managing and operate the Abbotsford Centre (now known as Rogers Forum) as a multi-purpose entertainment and sports facility.

AIG manages staffing, event bookings, ticketing and food and beverage management. This contract also includes revenue sharing where the city benefits from enhanced financial gains by sharing in the profits if there are an average of 5,000 tickets sold per regular season game.

The team made headlines in November when it was announced that the Abbotsford Centre was being renamed as Rogers Forum. It marks the first time in the almost 17-year history of the building that a naming rights sponsor has been acquired.

The Canucks pointed out that giving back is a big part of the team’s identity and shared that more than $5.6 million has been raised for local causes through the Canucks for Kids Fund’s 50/50 program over the past five years. They aim to continue that work for the next five years.

The club also announced that Rogers Forum is celebrating the extension with a special offer for fans on select Abbotsford Canucks games and live events. A special discount code of “FIVEMORE” allows ticket buyers to receive 10 per cent off Canucks games and 25 per cent off the Peppa Pig and MercyMe live events.