Andre Levingston has never been known to set modest goals.
“Ten thousand,” said the Halifax Rainmen owner boldly, when asked what he expects for an average attendance in 2011.
After averaging 3,292 fans in the 10,000-plus-seat Metro Centre last season, Levingston continues to shoot for the stars.
While it would take a miracle to hit his lofty target, the Rainmen finalized their 20-game Premier Basketball League schedule yesterday and made sure nine of their 10 home games will be played on weekends.
The lone non-weekend game is a Thursday-nighter on March 17 against the Saint John Mill Rats.
The same weekend approach last season played a role in helping the Rainmen increase attendance by more than 500 fans a night.
“It’s hard to get turnouts on a weekday, so we definitely wanted to have them all on the weekend,” Levingston said.
“This is our fourth year, and our attendance has been up every year. We’re looking to build on last year, to keep on growing the business.”
The Rainmen, who open the season at home against the Vermont Frost Heaves on Saturday, Jan. 2, will play in the PBL’s four-team East Division with Vermont, Saint John and the Quebec Kebs.
They play each of those teams four times, including twice at the Metro Centre.
One downside of the 2011 schedule is a month-long absence from the Metro Centre because of the Canada Games.
They had a similar hiatus last year because of the Tim Hortons Brier.
“There was nothing we could do about it,” Levingston said.
