Minding their pees & queues

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/09/2014 (4026 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Lineups to buy a beer or use the washroom aren’t going to be a thing of the past on the 300 level at the MTS Centre this hockey season — even with an investment of $6 million — but they’re going to be a lot shorter and faster.

Kevin Donnelly, senior vice-president of venues and entertainment for the nearly 10-year-old facility, said the highlights of the summer construction are two new restaurant/lounge areas, The Tower (southwest corner) and Heroes (southeast corner), as well as an expanded Observation Deck Bar & Buffet (in the atrium).

“We think the design is representative of the high-end finish that we want, that we see in other NHL buildings and that we want to become synonymous with ourselves,” he said.

“We’ve added more than 5,000 square feet of concourse where there previously was air space only. We’ve built out over air and we’ve added floors, concrete, steel, plumbing, concessions and toilets.”

Ah, yes, toilets. Has there ever been a more popular or contentious issue at a Winnipeg sporting venue? Donnelly hopes there will be more peeing and less griping now the men’s fixtures have been increased to 75 from 36 on the 300 level while women’s were upped to 57 from 44.

“We’ve added new seats to the MTS Centre but they’re toilet seats,” he joked, prior to taking the media on a tour to see all the changes.

By spending less time standing in line because of the additional concession options and washroom facilities, Donnelly said True North brass are optimistic fans will open up their wallets a little bit more.

“We want to be able to provide more and hopefully see a return for it. It’s our recognition that we have to do more in order to get more. We had to reinvest in the building so people could feel more comfortable here and have a better selection of food and beverages and get out of the line ups and get back to the game,” he said.

‘We’ve added more than 5,000 square feet of concourse where there previously was air space only’

— Kevin Donnelly, True North senior vice-president of venues

From the beer side of things, new brands on tap this season include Alexander Keith’s, Corona, Stella Artois, Rolling Rock and Shock Top.

Other renovations include an expanded Jets Gear store on the main floor and a new lounge and bar area for ticket holders in the suites.

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Donnelly said the $6-million investment was made to coincide with the renewal of season ticket holders on the 300 level following the completion of the 2013-14 season.

It’s all part of True North 2020, a recently developed long-term plan to oversee the renovations and refinish the building over the next six years.

Of course, the MTS Centre has undergone several renovations since the Jets became the main tenant three years ago. More than $8 million was spent in the summer of $2011 and $2 million more in each of 2012 and 2013.

By the time the overhaul is complete, Donnelly said the total price tag will have reached $40 million.

geoff.kirbyson@freepress.mb.ca