We had our doubts when Lewiston announced its plans for the Colisee.

We were concerned about the attendance requirements that would have allowed the Maineiacs to pack up and leave if the numbers weren’t met.

Information released Tuesday by the city put those worries to rest. The Maineiacs had to draw at least 2,500 fans a night for a stretch of 25 games to keep them playing at the Colisee. They’ve exceeded expectations, drawing an average 2,662. Only twice this season has attendance fallen below 2,000, and that was for good reason. On Oct. 20, the Boston Red Sox were defeating the New York Yankees, earning a trip to the World Series. Then the World Series a week later kept sports fans away from the Colisee. We’d say that’s a pretty good excuse.

In all, more than 93,000 tickets have been sold this season, which isn’t over yet. The Maineiacs are scheduled to begin post-season play tonight in Shawinigan, Quebec.

Writing about the decision for Lewiston to take over the Colisee and spend several million dollars to update the facility and entice the Maineiacs to stay around, the Sun Journal said city leaders were taking a big chance and placing a lot of faith in residents to buy tickets. We were also concerned at the speed of the decision and the lack of public involvement.

We wrote: “If hockey fans fill the seats, the city will be proven right. If they don’t, then we’re all left holding the bag. Brilliant success, mediocre results or outright failure – whatever the outcome – you can’t blame it on residents who may or may not like hockey. The responsibility belongs to city leaders.”

We’ll change one word of that now: The credit belongs to city leaders.

It’s too soon to judge the economic impact the team has had. We don’t know whether it measures up to predictions of between $3 million and $5 million a year made during the heat of discussion in January 2004. And the city still has to worry about attendance next year. But a major hurdle has been cleared, and the good numbers should keep the Maineiacs in Lewiston.

The mayor, city council and city administrator deserve credit for knowing their city and recognizing its love of hockey.