WINNIPEG: Officials of the Manitoba Entertainment Complex,
the group seeking to build a new arena in Winnipeg, will attempt
today to persuade Winnipeg hockey fans to purchase seats in the
new building. MEC needs commitments for 1,500 club seats and 40
luxury suites by the end of November in order to keep the project
on course for a construction start next summer. Privileges for
suite-holders will be extensive. For $55,000 to $85,000
annually, and the one-time $40,000 builders fee, a suite-holder
will enjoy the use of a separate club concourse, private
restaurant, special parking, all-day, all-event availability and
concierge service. It will cost club-seat holders between $2,000
and $5,000 for the one-time builder's fee and the per-year
premium is between $800 and $1,000, depending on location.
Hockey tickets for the Jets will be extra, but the club seat also
guarantees the availability of a chair for every arena event for
which the seat owner wishes to purchase tickets (Don Campbell,
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, 10/22).
CALGARY: The Flames are offering 1,500 fans with the
opportunity to purchase club seats in the renovated Olympic
Saddledome. By purchasing a club seat, an individual will be
provided the privilege of obtaining tickets to any event at the
Saddledome. The privilege won't affect shows until the arena
reopens after extensive renovations in mid-October, 1995. While
the official price for a club seat has yet to be released, Flames
Seating Director Bob White said that the seats would cost between
$2,925 and $3,375 for the 45-game season (Alison Mayes, CALGARY
HERALD, 10/21).
EDMONTON: Edmonton Eskimos GM Hugh Campbell said that the
team may be forced to shut down their operation if they can't get
more money out of Commonwealth Stadium. Campbell said after four
straight money-losing seasons, the team will fold without new
revenue sources. City Council decides tomorrow whether to
further pursue the ideal of an Eskimo-operated stadium (Mike
Sadava, EDMONTON JOURNAL, 10/22).
