Little surprised given they said they would return to Kamloops when the fields were ready but the City of Abbotsford is showing a lot of love for the Grey Cup champs including $25,000 worth of season tickets as part of the deal:
This takes care of one typical off-season question much earlier than usual. And word is the ?07 schedule will be released by mid-January.Why mess with success? Lions? camp returns
By DAN KINVIG
Abbotsford News
Dec 26 2006
Sticking to a routine is a classic sports superstition, at least when you?re winning. If you put your right sock on before your left and then score three touchdowns, you?re going to be putting on your right sock before your left for the rest of the season.
Perhaps not wanting to disrupt their own winning routine, the B.C. Lions have elected to return to Abbotsford for training camp for the next two seasons. The Canadian Football League club held their camp in Abby for the first time this past spring, and went on to win the Grey Cup.
According to Coun. Lynne Harris, who spearheaded the city?s efforts to bring the Lions to town, it?s no coincidence that Wally Buono?s team basked in the glow of Grey Cup glory after spending time in Abbotsford.
?Now they?re the champions, which we believe we had a part in, of course,? she said with a chuckle. ?It?s all a package. It starts with the first day of training camp in their season, and when they go on to win the Grey Cup, to me, everything that happens is a contributing factor.?
Training camp dates have yet to be finalized, but the Lions are set to return to the Exhibition Park practice fields in the spring.
?We?re in the process of finalizing the agreement. They?ll definitely be here next year and the following year,? Harris confirmed. ?They were anxious to return, and we were, of course, anxious to have them back.?
The Lions, Harris said, had a very positive experience working with the Abbotsford Parks and Rec staff, and enjoyed their stay on the Columbia Bible College campus. The city also enjoyed the free advertising that comes with being the home of the Lions for almost a month.
?It was certainly great from Tourism Abbotsford?s perspective,? Harris said. ?There was national media coverage, and Abbotsford was mentioned many times as the home of the training camp. We were very happy to have them, and they?re an amazing organization to work with. It was a positive experience all around.?
One of the greatest benefits for the city, according to Harris, is the fact that the Lions? presence in town is exciting for the young sports fans. Lions? practices are open to the public, and the players readily make themselves available to sign autographs and chat with fans.
?The reason why I really wanted to have them come in the first place is because I think it gives back something to the community, especially the young people,? Harris said. ?Kids really like to meet celebrity sports figures, and certainly they had that opportunity if they went down and watched training camp. To me, that?s what it?s about ? showing kids some positive role models in our province.?
Last year?s training camp came together at the last minute, as Abbotsford emerged as a candidate to host the event relatively late in the game. This year, the city has a bit more advance notice, which should be helpful from an organizational standpoint. The annual Lions? Fan Fest, which attracted 5,000 fans to Rotary Stadium last year, should be even bigger and better this year.
?We?ll have more time to build on that event,? Harris said.
Another part of the City of Abbotsford?s commitment to the Lions is that they must sponsor the team to the tune of $25,000 worth of season tickets. Fans are encouraged to purchase their season tickets through the City of Abbotsford, and can do so by contacting Harris at 604-864-5500.
I was hoping, selfishly, for Kamloops.
