Tuesday, June 21, 2011

TIGERS EXCITED FOR NEW REGIONAL EVENT

Press Release

Medicine Hat, AB – Medicine Hat Tigers continue to voice their support for the proposed Regional Event Centre. The Tigers are very excited and optimistic about the prospect of relocating into a modern facility that will greatly enhance the game experience for Tigers' fans.

The club has recently seen cities move forward with new or renovated facilities throughout the Western Hockey League.

The City of Moose Jaw will open a brand new state-of-the-art event centre this September. Lethbridge city council has approved a $41 million, 41,000 sq. ft. renovation to the Enmax Centre. Construction will see expansion to concession areas, a new restaurant and lounge along with video screen score clock to highlight a few of the improvements. Its completion is expected for the summer of 2012. Red Deer Enmax Centrium recently announced it is proceeding with renovations to their 1990 build arena by adding fourteen more luxury suites and 1,000 seats in hopes of hosting a future Memorial Cup tournament and other large sporting events.

On Monday, June 20th, Medicine Hat City Council will hold a historic vote on the construction of a new Regional Events Centre.

The new building is expected to accommodate 6500 seats for hockey with a capacity of 7100 for full-house events including ice-level seating.

In addition to the increased capacity, the state-of-the-art facility will offer numerous amenities currently unavailable to area residents. Among the elements people can look forward to include improved parking, a restaurant and lounge, video replay scoreboards, enhanced concession and beverage options with greater access, luxury suites, a Tigers team store, improved washroom facilities and greater accessibility for wheelchair and disabled patrons.

The Tigers have a current sellout streak of 292 regular season home games, dating back to March 1st of 2003. The increase in seating will allow the Tigers to address their season-ticket holder waiting list, which has fans waiting approximately 6 years for tickets to become available.

The Medicine Hat Tigers have enjoyed a great deal of success since beginning play in the Western Canada Hockey League in 1970, the year the current Arena was completed. Fans have been treated to five WHL Championships in addition to back-to-back Memorial Cups in the 1980’s.

Construction of a new and improved facility would also serve to enhance economic and commercial development prospects for the City of Medicine Hat and surrounding area.

The Medicine Hat Tigers sincerely hope this remarkable opportunity for growth passes with Monday’s vote.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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