Listen to daily commentary from program director Murray Wood
Murray Wood breaks down the results of Monday's federal election, and says western Canada is waiting anxiously to see if...
It’s not just fans who are eager to attend live events again.
The managers of SaskTel Centre have switched gears following the provincial government’s announcement that all public health restrictions could be dropped by July 11 if vaccination targets are reached.
“We’re focused right now on getting the building ready,” said Scott Ford, SaskTel Centre’s executive director. “We’re power-cleaning the building again. We’ve done a lot of things to get ready after COVID for our reopening plan.”
Things like switching to mobile tickets and installing a new tap payment system at concessions and kiosks have been added to reduce contact once the building can host big crowds again. Increased sanitization protocols will also remain in place.
“Our plan is business as usual,” said Ford.
“We’ve sent an email to all of our clients letting them know what the steps of the reopening plan look like for Saskatchewan and our phone calls have actually increased. We’re actually taking new holds.”
While hosting hockey games and concerts depends on 70 per cent of people 12 and up getting vaccinated, Ford is confident the target will be achieved soon.
Ford announced on the Brent Loucks Show the Taste of Saskatchewan festival will go ahead Aug. 10-15 and Rock the River is booked for Aug. 20-22.
“I couldn’t be more excited for our sports teams like the Saskatchewan Rattlers,” he said, referring to the city’s Canadian Elite Basketball League franchise. “Their season starts on June 28, but most of their games are happening around July 11 so (for) the bulk of the season, they’ll be able to have real fans in the stands.”
The biggest unknown facing the arena is when the Canada-U.S. border will reopen.
Ford said unless something changes soon, the Celine Dion concert set for Aug. 8 will have to be rescheduled.
