
A major change could be coming to those who like to go to a Blazers game at the Sandman Centre.
Council’s Community and Protective Services Committee is meeting Thursday afternoon, with a discussion expected to take place about whether to end in-and-out privileges at the Sandman Centre.
This would mean that once you pass through the front doors coming in, if you decide to leave – you’re out for good.
Councillor Steven Karpuk says they’re looking at this as a way to put a lid on people who may decide to dip out for extra-curricular activities.
“I think that we need to follow with what other places do,” he said, on NL Newsday. “If you go in, you’re in for the event. You come out when it’s done, or when you need to.”
Karpuk says the idea has been brought forward due to concerns about excess drinking in-between periods at Blazers games.
“We have seasons tickets but the amount of alcohol consumption by I would say a fairly small group of people may possibly have been abused,” Karpuk added. “I just wanted our staff to have a look at it.”
However, he notes alcohol sales at the Sandman Centre is something that is not going to be affected.
A report from city staff to the Community and Protective Services Committee says they’ve found empty liquor bottles outside Sandman Centre left there by either fans who are drinking on the way into the game or during an intermission.
“Fans may be drinking irresponsibly and then entering, which becomes a Compass and Security responsibility to observe and report fans who have overconsumed,” the report said. “Some of these fans may never even purchase a drink while inside, yet it is still a responsibility of Compass and Security staff to manage this.”
In-and-out privileges are quite rare at most major indoor events in B.C., with Kamloops one of the few WHL cities that still allows guests to move back-and-forth from the arena during a hockey game.
If it is implemented, City staff say it will be introduced for the start of the 2023 Blazers playoffs which will allow the organization to inform and educate their season ticket holders and fans in advance.
No word on what this may mean for smokers and vapers, as well as those who just feel the need to get out of a crowd.