Saskatoon fans spent over $200,000 at sold-out Blades game concession
SaskTel Centre staff are still recuperating from Sunday’s sold-out game between the Regina Pats and Saskatoon Blades.
While fans left disappointed about the result as the Pats skated away with a 4-2 win, everything that happened up until the final whistle is being judged as a success from the arena’s leadership.
“The atmosphere was unbelievable,” said Scott Ford, executive director at SaskTel Centre. “I think the fans had an amazing time. And, you know, we couldn't be more proud of all of our events staff that were involved in working on this particular project in this game.”
Ford said the event went off without any major disruptions — or complaints — thanks to days of meticulous planning and preparation from the hundreds of people involved.
More than 600 staff and volunteers worked the game on Sunday to cater to every need from the 14,768 capacity crowd.
“I think everybody had their best game face on and everybody approached this event with extreme excitement and a really positive attitude, and I think that resonated with the fans that attended this event,” Ford said.
A casual fan of the Blades might not realize the workforce necessary for such a large event.
Of the roughly 600 staff, 52 worked security and entrances, 50 ushers helped fans find their seats, 10 video production and camera operators kept fans entertained, two electricians kept the lights on, and 54 parking staff ensured the nearly 15,000 people at the game made it out of the parking lot in less than an hour.
For the roughly 320 concession staff working the game, fans kept them busy all night.
Ford says 2,200 boxes of popcorn, 2,500 soda drinks and roughly 1,500 hotdogs were sold as fans spent roughly $15 per person — or $221,500 total — on concession items.
Not only was it the single largest ticketed event for the Blades, it resulted in an economic spinoff that has yet to be realized.
“We had a lot of people that were coming from all over Saskatchewan to this game. Lots of people booking in hotel rooms, lots of people shopping in Saskatoon stores prior to the game, after game staying in Saskatoon hotels, so our tourism economy and the spin off economic benefits of a big event like this really are tremendous,” Ford said.
The Saskatoon Blades office was closed on Monday and no staff were available for an interview.
Luckily for Ford and the other 600 staff members, they get to do it all over again on Friday with Bedard and the Pats back to SaskTel Centre for a rematch.
All of the same tips and suggestions apply — doors will be open at 5:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. puck drop and buses will be at the city’s major malls again — but unlike Sunday, fans will have to contend with the usual late afternoon traffic.
Ford suggests getting to the arena as early as you can, and begging your boss to leave work a little early if you have to.
“I hope they do that,” he said. “It's a Friday. So yeah, let them sneak away a little bit earlier.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
2 military horses that broke free and ran loose across London are in serious condition
Two military horses that bolted and ran miles through the streets of London after being spooked by construction noise and tossing their riders were in a serious condition and required operations, a British government official said Thursday.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.