The C$230M Molson Centre is having "problems," involving
concourses which are "too narrow to handle large crowds," and not
enough restrooms, particularly when filled to its seating
capacity of 21,361, according to David Shoalts of the Toronto
GLOBE & MAIL. One NHL source told Shoalts, "The lines for the
can are as long as the lines of the jobless in their thirties."
Officials with the Canadiens "acknowledged that there have been
problems, but insisted most of them were corrected this summer."
Shoalts also reports "gossip in NHL circles" is that Molson had
to spend an additional C$15M widening some concourses, moving
concession stands and redesigning restrooms. Bernard Brisset,
Canadiens VP/Communications: "Maybe (C$15M) is the amount needed
to finish the building, because we're still working on the roof.
But that's not new money." Brisset estimated the cost of the
adjustments this summer was "a little less" than C$1M. (Toronto
GLOBE & MAIL, 9/19).
ON THE SEATS OF PHILADELPHIA: Patrons attending the
CoreStates Center have voiced complaints to a "concerned" arena
management, about high smoke levels in the building, according to
Ed Moran in the PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS. Smoking is only
permitted in private boxes and designated areas in the two
concourses but neither the smoke or smokers have stayed in those
areas. CoreStates Complex President Peter Luukko acknowledged
that management is "concerned" about the rights of non-smokers
but said "we don't want to legislate morality." Luukko also
heard complaints from season ticket holders about TV camera
platforms that block some seats at the mezzanine level. Luukko
indicated they were "looking at some possible solutions .... We
have to satisfy our customers" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 9/19).
