No issues with logistics during Pats-Blades game: SaskTel Centre executive director

As smooth as a fresh sheet of hockey ice, there were no complaints about logistics, parking or anything else during the Saskatoon Blades-Regina Pats soldout WHL game Sunday at SaskTel Centre.

While the Blades lost 4-2 to the Pats, SaskTel Centre executive director Scott Ford said by all accounts, the 600 staff and volunteers pulled off an amazing event, and he couldn’t be more proud of them.

“We never had any complaints. Actually, everything went super-smooth. Fans followed the instructions to get to the building. In the first 10 minutes when the doors opened, we had 2,500 fans that were standing in the building,” he said.

A lot of preparation and planning goes into a big event like that, said Ford.

“We had approximately 600 event staff working the … game and everybody just did a great job. We were really happy with all of the staff, all of our volunteers (and) all of our contractors that were involved in working that exciting event,” he added.

Hundreds of staff worked the concession stands and fans were there to spend, with more than $220,000 in sales for that one game alone.

“Our per cap(ita) was very good for a sporting event. It was over $15 a head. We sold over 2,200 popcorns, we sold over 2,500 soda drinks (and) we sold approximately 1,500 hot dogs,” Ford said.

Dozens of parking staff, four Saskatoon police officers, and 16 shuttle buses were also hired especially for the game. Afterwards, the parking lot was cleared in less than an hour.

“We clock it. So we had the entire parking lot clear (in) I think it was 36 minutes,” he said.

When patrons arrive at a game, Ford compares it to a tap and “controlling the flow” coming into the parking lots and overflow areas. It’s a different story, though, when people are leaving.

“It’s like you dump a bucket out. Everybody’s leaving at the same time. Exiting is really limited to your exiting capacity, but we did a great job there,” he said.

In preparation for the game, staff parked off site, there were overflow spaces and shuttle buses picking up fans at local malls.

Ford has some advice for those planning to attend Friday’s Pats-Blades rematch, which is also expected to be another sellout. That game is to start at 7 p.m.

“Come early … We’re opening the doors a half-hour earlier,” he said. “The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. We’re advising everyone to certainly carpool. If you can travel with friends … follow the direction of the parking attendants and the police. They will get you to the quickest and easiest places to park.”

Shuttle buses will also run from the Confederation Mall, the Lawson Heights Mall and the Centre Mall. The first buses will leave at 5:15 p.m., while the last shuttle buses to the game will leave at 6:40 p.m.