When the Prince George Cougars face off against the Kelowna Rockets tonight at CN Centre there won’t be a 50 per cent limit on the number of fans in the seats, and CN Centre manager Glen Mikkelsen couldn’t be happier.
As of Thursday, the province has lifted the majority of public health restrictions on events, concerts, restaurants, fitness centres and sports tournaments.
“Today is a day of rejoicing,” Mikkelsen said. “For the first time in almost two years we can have 100 per cent capacity. It is a fantastic day, in our business, to be happy.”
Venues in the Northern Health region have faced capacity limits for longer than those in the rest of the province, he said.
Being able to fill the seats is a game-changer for the event industry, he said. Event promoters have been reaching out to him over the past couple weeks in anticipation of the rules changing, Mikkelsen added.
“It totally changes the financial aspects of the event business,” he said. “We are getting emails and inquiries constantly. I think the people of Prince George and northern B.C. will have lots to look forward to the next couple months.”
The change in public health orders will hopefully signal to the public that it is safe to get back out and attend events and gatherings again, he said.
“(Hopefully) it helps diminish the level of anxiety about coming together,” Mikkelsen said.
Tourism Prince George CEO Colin Carson said the changes will be a welcome boost for the city’s tourism operators.
When the city plays host to major events like the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship in March, more available seats in the venue means more visitors to the city, he said.
“It’s really exciting for the industry as a whole,” Carson said. “This is definitely something that people have been looking forward to.”
Public health has to come first, he said, but he is hopeful the lifting of the capacity limits will remain in place to give tourism operators some degree of certainty going forward.
Prince George Cougars manager of broadcasting, media relations and public relations Fraser Rodgers said the team would love to see the stands packed again.
“For us, it is always in flux for attendance," Rodgers said. “(But) if we do qualify for the playoffs, and we’re well positioned to, we could have some bigger games.”
Managing the capacity limits and requirements for groups to be spread out in the arena has been a logistical challenge for box office staff, he added.
The Cats have a double header against the Rockets Friday and Saturday night. And the team's next mega jackpot 50/50 draw will be held on Feb. 26, when the Cougars host the Portland Winterhawks, he said.
The last mega jackpot draw resulted in the winner and designated charity receiving more than $40,000 each. The minimum prize this time around will be $30,000, Rodgers said, and with a full house the prize could easily top $40,000.
The 50/50 draw will benefit the Prince George Community Foundation and Rotary Clubs efforts to bring a new, multi-sport park to the city, Rodgers said.
The Cougars aren’t the only hockey team in town looking forward to seeing the stands full.
The Prince George Spruce Kings, like other teams in the B.C. Hockey League, have been limited to half-capacity, which has capped crowd counts to no more than 1,000 spectators per game at their home rink, Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.
“We’re over the capacity limit now, so we’re hoping to get more fans back into RMCA here,” Spruce Kings GM Mike Hawes said.
With files from Ted Clarke
