|
|
Post by hockeylaw on Jan 3, 2020 16:45:56 GMT -4
It will be a welcomed addition, especially with bigger crowds. I know its not often, but with Timbit weekend coming up, our "Go for it" team I am sure there will be bigger crowds in the second half. The Dec 28 game was 7000, I arrived 3:30 and it was backed up to the lights lined up for the doors. I think that game was a bit of an anomaly. The Canada-Russia game was also on at that time and so I think once the Russians went up 3-0, everybody decided to leave their homes and all arrived at the same time. It was a big crowd but it shouldn't get backed up like it did. Perhaps it won't be packed all the time but with the good product on the ice, we should see better crowds. I know a lot of parents from my son's hockey team have been saying "we'll go after Christmas". Unfortunately, I know for a fact that food and drinks (non-alcoholic) prices are a MAJOR deterrent for many who have been to a couple games or heard about it. However, the people who make the decisons about the prices seem to be out of touch with or simply don't care about the population/populace. It's too bad. One mom that we see all the time at our son's hockey games says all the time (and I mean ALL THE TIME) that they are a family of 4 and when they last attended a Cats game, the ultimate insult was when they saw Circle K's ad on the electronic billboard for 2 jumbo hot-dogs/sausages and any size Polar fountain pop for $4.49, and she had just told one of her children that they were not buying a $5.00 hot-dog, in addition to the $5.50 bottled pop and $6.00 popcorn they each already got. She mentioned that at the old rink you could get a combo for less than $10,00 or a poutine for a lot less than what it is now, and even a 12-inch Greco pizza for $14.00. She knew her prices trust me and she sure doesn't like the new ones and she is a Federal employee and said he colleagues also think the same and have not been attending for the same reasons. |
|
|
|
Post by SteveUL on Jan 5, 2020 11:45:00 GMT -4
I think that game was a bit of an anomaly. The Canada-Russia game was also on at that time and so I think once the Russians went up 3-0, everybody decided to leave their homes and all arrived at the same time. It was a big crowd but it shouldn't get backed up like it did. Perhaps it won't be packed all the time but with the good product on the ice, we should see better crowds. I know a lot of parents from my son's hockey team have been saying "we'll go after Christmas". Unfortunately, I know for a fact that food and drinks (non-alcoholic) prices are a MAJOR deterrent for many who have been to a couple games or heard about it. However, the people who make the decisons about the prices seem to be out of touch with or simply don't care about the population/populace. It's too bad. One mom that we see all the time at our son's hockey games says all the time (and I mean ALL THE TIME) that they are a family of 4 and when they last attended a Cats game, the ultimate insult was when they saw Circle K's ad on the electronic billboard for 2 jumbo hot-dogs/sausages and any size Polar fountain pop for $4.49, and she had just told one of her children that they were not buying a $5.00 hot-dog, in addition to the $5.50 bottled pop and $6.00 popcorn they each already got. She mentioned that at the old rink you could get a combo for less than $10,00 or a poutine for a lot less than what it is now, and even a 12-inch Greco pizza for $14.00. She knew her prices trust me and she sure doesn't like the new ones and she is a Federal employee and said he colleagues also think the same and have not been attending for the same reasons. And yet last year we had an average over 5000 last year, and this year should be similar or even higher with a strong team. I get that people don't like the prices, but it is the same at any major event center around North America. Personally, I go to the game and rarely spend a dime (beyond my season ticket) as I am there to watch the game. I occasionally (1 out of 5 games maybe) will have a beer or a coffee and sometimes buy a 50/50 ticket. I don't bring any kids with me (my kids are all older than 23) so I am not in the same demographic as the ones with young families. But it is the gimmee gimmee culture where kids want everything from the canteen and parents oblige. Nobody needs a hotdog or popcorn to watch a hockey game ... feed your kids before the game. If your kids aren't interested in the game and only interested in the treats then leave them home until they are more interested in the game. A sitter would be cheaper than bringing them to the game and buying them canteen garbage. |
|
|
|
Post by lirette on Jan 5, 2020 13:25:27 GMT -4
There may be a few fans that have been so turned off by the price of a poutine that they no longer go to Wildcats games but I think those fans have been replaced by a younger group of fans that appreciate the downtown & modern rink experience given what the attendance numbers say. There's also a lot more corporate support with the suites & club seats.
They don't mind paying more or like Steve said they simple don't bother buying food. The food is an improvement from the coliseum (minus mexis) but you aren't missing out on anything to eat before or after a game.
Another think I'm enjoying is a large increase in fans wearing Wildcats Jerseys and other apparel. I think this is in part due to better offerings & new jersey design but it's also because of new fans jumping on board. Great timing as Moncton is experiencing a ton of growth right now.
|
|
tburg
Draft Pick
Posts: 1
|
Post by tburg on Jan 6, 2020 8:00:34 GMT -4
Agree with you Lirette.
Interesting read in the Times today. Big difference in attendance between the two big NB markets. (Approx. 1800/game difference: 4700/g vs 2900/g) It seems the Sea Dogs have been way down over the last few years. Harbour Station is a nice arena with on-site parking. Watching some of the games I'd say there is even less in the seats. Aside from team performance what is going on?
First post - long time follower!
|
|
|
|
Post by SteveUL on Jan 6, 2020 9:03:02 GMT -4
Agree with you Lirette. Interesting read in the Times today. Big difference in attendance between the two big NB markets. (Approx. 1800/game difference: 4700/g vs 2900/g) It seems the Sea Dogs have been way down over the last few years. Harbour Station is a nice arena with on-site parking. Watching some of the games I'd say there is even less in the seats. Aside from team performance what is going on? First post - long time follower! Saint John missed the playoffs two years in a row so they have been a league doormat since their last championship run. They are better this year with loads of young high end talent, but for much of the first half were still a bottom feeder. New Coach has them playing better now and they may climb up the standings a little once the dust settles for all teams on trades. You can't feed the fans shitty teams for more than one season ... the fans have to see improvement year to year to stay engaged. IMO, when you miss the playoffs two years in a row you are running your business poorly. Teams have to learn to balance winning a championship with providing the paying customer with a product they can get behind. That's why Irving tried to set up our team to never bottom out ... because its better for business to do it that way. It doesn't work to get you a championship unless you can stick to the plan and use your 1sts and 2nds annually, instead of trading them away for a veteran player. The City of Saint John has its own struggles also, and so not everybody can afford to regularly support their team. |
|
|
|
Post by hockeylaw on Jan 6, 2020 9:08:28 GMT -4
Agree with you Lirette. Interesting read in the Times today. Big difference in attendance between the two big NB markets. (Approx. 1800/game difference: 4700/g vs 2900/g) It seems the Sea Dogs have been way down over the last few years. Harbour Station is a nice arena with on-site parking. Watching some of the games I'd say there is even less in the seats. Aside from team performance what is going on? First post - long time follower! I have colleagues who are long time STHs in SJ and they say that performance on the ice is really affecting their attendance. I have invited them to the Cats games over the years and even in the Cats "down" years, they were surprised by the reasonable crowds we were still getting. |
|
