.JPG)
Big changes are coming to the way customers use the concession on the concourse of the Temple Gardens Centre arena.
On Monday night, city council approved funding to retrofit Concession 3, located in the southwest corner of the concourse, into a marketplace, grab-and-go style concession.
The marketplace concession will complement the fixed and portable concessions and bar services already in place on the concourse.
Currently, Temple Gardens Centre has four fixed concessions, two portable draft beer stations and the Sask Spirits bar. The concessions have not been renovated or upgraded since 2011.
Shaunna Fritzler, general manager of the Temple Gardens Centre, told council that arenas are moving toward marketplace concessions.
“Industry standards have evolved, and the marketplace or grab-and-go style concession has become very popular and is already a successful part of the food and beverage services in arenas in both Regina and Saskatoon,” she said.
The marketplace concession would give customers a “shopping experience” where they can walk into the concession, browse products and drinks in coolers, select items, and complete the purchase.
“There is a designated entrance, designated exit. I’ll go in, I’ll pick my things—and if you haven’t decided yet, that’s fine. I know what I want. I’ll grab it, cash out and I’m back at my seat,” Fritzler said.
Fritzler said Temple Gardens Centre is considering three models:
- Patrons pay before entering and then gather their items.
- Customers select items inside, then place them on a scale to be scanned before paying.
- A self-serve scanning model.
Statistics presented to council showed that 53 per cent of people prefer self-serve checkout, sales increase by 125 per cent with the marketplace model, and wait times are reduced by 80 per cent.
“The wait times are interesting. If you’re in a lineup of 40 people at one of the concessions and it takes 30 seconds or less to complete that transaction, you’re in that line for the entire intermission of a hockey game,” Fritzler said.
The marketplace concession would sell alcohol, so minors would not be allowed. Staff would be present to check ID and open any alcohol purchased.
The renovation is expected to cost $64,500, funded through the capital contribution received from Oak View Group.
New Temple Gardens Centre signage
Council also approved an additional $17,000 to complete exterior signage reflecting the new naming rights.
Signage has been completed at the entrance doors and inside the arena bowl. However, exterior signage on the north and east sides still needs to be installed.
The north entrance, used by most user groups, will feature a large static sign.
The additional cost comes from the proposed east-side signage. Temple Gardens Centre staff suggested a digital sign that would display naming rights and allow dynamic messaging for upcoming sporting events, concerts, announcements, welcome messages and, potentially, advertising. City administration noted that the digital sign was the city’s idea.
The east entrance is primarily used for hockey games, concerts and large events.
The naming rights agreement included a $40,000 city contribution for signage, with the extra $17,000 over and above that amount.
Mayor James Murdock expressed concern about who should cover the extra cost.
“I think that if there’s an agreement in place for $40,000, personally, I think that needs to be followed,” Murdock said. “We worked on that together to come up with that figure, and if there’s an overage, I think that should be the sole responsibility of Peepeekisis Development, personally.”
Coun. Heather Eby countered that, although the signage reflects the naming rights, the digital sign would largely benefit the building itself.
“I like it and I think it is, again, modernizing something that has been the same for a number of years now,” she said. “I think it’s bringing us into the new era, so I’m in favour of it. If they’re willing to cost share, I think it’s a great opportunity.”
Like the concession renovations, the funding will come from the capital contribution made by Oak View Group.