Rumours are swirling that Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini may buy the struggling Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre, though the parties involved remain tight-lipped about the possibility.

Purchasing the centre would help pave the way for Aquilini to bring the Canucks’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, closer to home – a move that could boost slumping ticket sales at the financially-troubled arena.

The City of Abbotsford is currently locked into a 10-year supply fee agreement with the Calgary Flames’ farm team, the Abbotsford Heat, that leaves it on the hook if the franchise doesn’t break even with its annual budget of $5.7 million. Sales have been slow, however, possibly due to the Canucks' fan stronghold in the Fraser Valley.

All parties are refusing to address the possibility of a sale, to Aquilini or otherwise.

“The club will not address speculative reports or discuss the partnerships of other NHL teams,” Canucks spokesman Ben Brown said in a statement, which noted the team’s strong ongoing relationship with the Wolves.

The City of Abbotsford refused comment about the reports as well, but did say they have not discussed putting the centre on the market. Instead, city spokeswoman Katherine Jeffcoatt said the city plans to combat financial hardships by working to increase ticket sales.

“As in previous years, the city has budgeted for a shortfall and is focused on working with the Heat to increase ticket sales for the coming 2012/13 AHL hockey season to mitigate this to the fullest extent possible,” said Jeffcoatt.

The Heat is currently scheduled to play 38 home games at the AESC in the upcoming season, which runs Oct. 12, 2012 to Apr. 14, 2013.

According to Heat spokesman Delany Dunn, similar rumours about a sale of the centre resurface every six months.

“As far as we’re concerned, we’ve had the same rumours for four years with a different twist,” he said. This time around, the twist is that Aquilini himself wants to buy the centre.

A hockey board meeting is scheduled for Sept. 7 in Abbotsford, which could address the rumours, but Flames president Ken King wouldn’t say if the centre will be brought up.

“[It is a] regularly scheduled meeting covering various and usual subjects,” King wrote in an email.