Smoking policy to stay as is at Brandt Centre

Smokers won’t have to worry about when they’ll get a smoke at the Regina Pats game this weekend. The Brandt Centre won’t be banning smoking on the grounds, like the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon is.

“So far the requirements on our security team have been manageable so we haven’t changed that policy,” explained Paula Kohl with Evraz Place.

She said the reasons the SaskTel Centre is changing its policy are likely security and personnel considerations.

“Anytime someone anybody comes into the revenue they need to, you know, if they have a bag, be checked by security, and also the guest services team who has to scan them in and out.”

At the Brandt Centre, Kohl said smokers can sometimes be an issue but usually they’re respectful.

“They do try to stay away from the crowds, which is something that we really appreciate.”

Thanks to a bylaw passed last year, smokers have to be even further away from doors and air intakes, now 10 metres.

Kohl said Evraz Place is keeping an eye on what other venues are doing, but right now there aren’t any plans to change the smoking policy.