Walk-through metal detectors to be used at MTS Centre

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This article was published 02/09/2015 (3724 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Going to a Winnipeg Jets came will be like boarding a jet this season.

MTS Centre, along with other National Hockey League arenas, will have all fans walk through magnetometers, similar to the metal detectors at airports, when they enter the venue.

Scott Brown, senior director of corporate communications with True North Sports and Entertainment Ltd., said on Wednesday the metal detectors will be used at the MTS Centre for the first time to check fans going into the Nas concert on Thursday night, but they will be operating from now on at all Jets, Moose and other events held there.

Brown said the metal detectors were put in because they were mandated by the NHL and are similar to what are already in place at NFL, major league baseball, and NBA venues.

“This is the new reality,” Brown said.

“Even I have to pass through it on a game day… it’s something the NHL has been working on for a couple of years. All of the buildings now have to have them in place for this year.

“Every game (in past years) you see something considered worrisome, but we’ve found nothing of a grave danger.”

The metal detectors are manufactured by American-based Garrett Metal Detectors and are the same type as those used at the recent Pan American games in Toronto.

There are 38 of them at entrances to the building and eight of them are large enough for a wheelchair to go through.

Brown said if a wheelchair user is carrying a bag it will likely still be subject to a manual search.

He said while the detectors are set at a lower setting than the ones at airports, and the manufacturer has told them they are safe for everyone, if anyone is concerned about how it could affect their medical implants or devices, they can notify arena staff and be given a pat down search.

Brown said doors will open 90 minutes before a Jets or Moose game instead of 60 minutes, but once fans are used to the scanners they’ll actually get into the arena faster than before because fewer people will be subjected to physical searches.

“We think efficiency will be greater than with the old system,” he said.

Brown said bags will still be searched so True North is urging people to come earlier and “travel light.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca