MJHL hoping for half-full rinks, but attendance will likely be lower

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This article was published 22/09/2020 (2156 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE MJHL has a target of 50 per cent capacity for regular-season games when the 2020-21 campaign opens on Oct. 9; however, the number is expected to be lower, in most cases.

Commissioner Kevin Saurette said Tuesday the number of fans allowed in the league’s 11 arenas will depend on how well the size and layout of a facility accommodates physical-distancing protocols.

Each team will use the pre-season to adapt to the guidelines and teams have been ordered to allow no more than 35 per cent capacity.

Current provincial guidelines limit group sizes to a maximum of 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors. Larger group sizes will be allowed where participants can be separated into distinct groups that remain separate and where each group remains under the distancing guidelines.

The league’s biggest venues, such as the Selkirk Recreation Complex (capacity 2,751) and Stride Place in Portage (capacity 1,975), won’t be close to half-full.

“With social distancing, they won’t hit that number, for sure,” said Saurette. “Each team is working with their facility and their local authorities to find a number they’re comfortable with, but I think most of the rinks that size are going to be around 500 (fans). So 50 per cent capacity, when you ensure social distancing, you’re not going to hit 50 per cent capacity.”

The Steinbach Pistons, who are routinely first or second in league attendance with more than 900 fans per game in the 1,250-seat T.G. Smith Centre, are allowing about 250 fans to their lone home pre-season game on Oct. 3 against the Winkler Flyers.

“I haven’t got a confirmed number for them but obviously they’re going to be the team most impacted this season (mainly because) of the fact that they normally have the highest attendance in the MJHL and their rink is a smaller facility that is limited for social distancing,” Saurette said.

Saurette monitored Monday’s pre-season opener in Dauphin and was pleased to see it unfold without a hitch. About 250 spectators were permitted inside the 1,763-seat Credit Union Place as the Kings hosted the Swan Valley Stampeders.

The pandemic-related restrictions have made it difficult for MJHL franchises, particularly the community-owned teams who depend on off-season fundraising, to keep their operations afloat.

“It’s been a difficult summer for teams, regarding cancelled fundraiser events and cancellation of the season and limited capacity in some of the buildings and sponsorships,” said Saurette. “So it’s been difficult and I do commend all the teams, but it’s also exciting for them. I know season-ticket (sales) are up for most of our teams across the league because fans want to make sure they have a spot to watch in the arena.

“There seems to be a lot of excitement in each community and throughout the province with getting back to the arena and having hockey to watch live. It might actually be a positive year, with the situation we’re facing.”

mike.sawatzky@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @sawa14