[Moncton] Centre Avenir Centre | 26.65m |~6 Fl | Completed

[SevenSquared]

I heard a few people unsure/struggling with pronunciation this weekend. I heard "AVV-nurr" and even "uh-VEE-nurr" a few times.

If anyone is still unsure, the "avenue" trick is helpful, you swap the "nue" with the word "near".

In a year, everyone will be used to it and it'll seem so strange that people ever struggled with it.

[MonctonRad]

Another trick is to think "souvenir" and replace the "sou" with a soft "a" (ah)

For the life of me, I can't see why people would have a problem pronouncing this word.

[CodiacCanuck]

Just remember what type of company it is.
You would walk into the clinic and ask "Can I 'ave an ear exam?

[gehrhardt]

I was there on Saturday and it was impressive for sure. I parked at Heritage Court, mindful not to park in the reserved spaces. I hope the sidewalk from the subway to Canada st will be repaired once the Hyatt is completed. I have a minor mobility issue and had to be very careful where I stepped.

As for the opening itself, I think it was a trial run / stress test of the concessions and staff. One thing I did notice is that there wasn't a large amount of garbage bins around. I heard more than one person asking where they were. The ones near the concessions that were operating seemed to be pretty full too.

The other thing I thought was that there needs to be more defined line ups at the concessions. I don't think the mob method is going to work out too well.
I hope they noticed these things too and have it all worked out before the first event.

Overall it looked really nice. I'm looking forward to attending something there in the near future.

[lirette]

Detailed article about the concessions

http://huddle.today/heres-what-the-food-will-be-like-at-monctons-avenir-centre/

Looks like an upgrade on the coliseum in every possible way. I expect it to be abit more expensive as well.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by lirette

Detailed article about the concessions

http://huddle.today/heres-what-the-food-will-be-like-at-monctons-avenir-centre/

Looks like an upgrade on the coliseum in every possible way. I expect it to be abit more expensive as well.

Jonathan McInnis had a similar article on CTV News last night. Yes, it sounds like a definite upgrade in concessions (a Cordon Bleue chef no less).

So all the concessions will be corporate and operated by SMG except for Goji's, Timmies and the beer concessions (including Pump House).

One thing I noted on my tour on the weekend is that there was one concession off the SW side of the concourse that faced inward (had to be accessed by a door), and appeared to be a self serve type of concession (but with a cashier), where you could pick up basic fair like popcorn, hot dogs, potato chips and soft drinks.

Aside from this, I guess all the former concession people at the old Coliseum have been told to frig off (aside from booze, coffee and froyo, SMG wants to keep all the concession business (and associated profit) to itself).

[Philbilly]

https://www.facebook.com/797688903728744/posts/1111670845663880/

So now that all events at the avenir centre will implement metal detectors at the doors. I see problems arise for sure at first . Doors open at 6 pm for the Keith Urban concert. EAch concert will be different. For hockey, doors open 90 minutes prior to puck drop for Season Ticket Holders/ Club and Suites. 60 minutes prior to puck drop for general public.

Is it only the doors at the front for patrons to get in ? Or will there be other areas around the centre because if not you will have between 8 to max 10 thousand people on a busy night trying to get in at the same place, then going through metal detectors.

Does it give enough time to get in and seat yourself In an hour and half for concerts and 1h for
For cat games? . As I don’t know the setup for this new security measure I’m only speculating.

https://www.facebook.com/1254737201221007/posts/2192156197479098/

[felip_ars]

For sure the first few events, it will be a nightmare getting in, as this will be the only way to get in. But after a few shows, things will pick up.

I went to few events at Place Bell, where doors also open as well 1h before showtime, and the most time I waited around 10-15 minutes.

For a sold out show, arriving 45m-1h should be fine, while a Cats game or a 2-3k crowd I would say 20m.

And for the smokers out there, make sure to have one last smoke before getting in

[McKay]

Originally Posted by Philbilly

So now that all events at the avenir centre will implement metal detectors at the doors.

Dumbest idea I've heard all month, and that's a month with an election campaign on! Do we really have a problem for which this is a reasonable solution?

[Philbilly]

Originally Posted by felip_ars

For sure the first few events, it will be a nightmare getting in, as this will be the only way to get in. But after a few shows, things will pick up.

I went to few events at Place Bell, where doors also open as well 1h before showtime, and the most time I waited around 10-15 minutes.

For a sold out show, arriving 45m-1h should be fine, while a Cats game or a 2-3k crowd I would say 20m.

And for the smokers out there, make sure to have one last smoke before getting in

Did place bell have more than 1 gate or just the one ?

[felip_ars]

Only the main entrance, where the brown desk end.
Theres also doors for those that have access to the suites, on the far right (in front of the sculptures). As far as I know even those going to Taverne 1909 (attached to the venue) need to go outside and get in by the entrance (unlike the Cage au Sports at the Bell Centre where customers can get in from the restaurant)

[Taeolas]

I was at a Sens game last winter in Ottawa, and they had 6 to 10 metal detectors at the main entrance. Portable ones that were removed for exit. Didn't seem to slow things down much; as long as you have enough available it shouldn't be an issue.

[MonctonRad]

Youtube video by Mike O'Hara of the grand opening of the Avenir Centre. It includes a video tour and is quite well done!

• Video Link

[lirette]

Inside scoop for the forumers. Heritage Court parking lot on foundry will remain accessible and free to the public during events (at least for now). So anyone looking for a good parking spot tonight that's what I'd be doing.

[felip_ars]

Im reading the articles about tonight show on both CBC and Radio-Canada, and cant seem to find if they plan to extend the Bus schedule to accommodate the concert probably ending at 11PM. The Blue and Green are supposed to ends at 11, but by the time the crowd leaves the venue, it'll probably around 11h05 or 11h10.

Also in the Radio-Canada article, they mentions that the extra buses (only for crowd of over 6k) will only be available until 10.

Les autobus supplémentaires seront en service une heure avant les spectacles, et ce, jusqu’à 22 h.

Kinda pointless in my opinion.

Logistic will not be perfect for sure.
- Some people will arrive 10-15 minutes before showtime, and be pissed that they are missing the openers, and thats their own fault.
- There will surely be long line at the concessions, as the staff will take time to get their groove going, and people will take their time reading the entire menu before deciding.

But if there's some people "stranded" at the Centre after the show because they dont have money for cab (thinking that the trip back will be free), then there's a problem.

I also I wonder whats gonna happened during the "The Thank You Canada Tour" event. It's close to Sold Out, but it's Remembrance Day, and there's usually no service on holidays.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by lirette

Inside scoop for the forumers. Heritage Court parking lot on foundry will remain accessible and free to the public during events (at least for now). So anyone looking for a good parking spot tonight that's what I'd be doing.

Also, on CBC radio this morning, they apparently confirmed (for the first time) that the large parking lot on Foundry, immediately across the railway tracks from the Avenir Centre will be available for parking. I don't know if this is a "one off" or not, but this would be the single most important parking lot available in the core to service the Avenir Centre. I hope this continues for other events and for Wildcats games too. If so, a lot of my misgivings about parking will be alleviated.

Champlain Place is apparently concerned about people parking in their lot and hopping on the bus to go the the Avenir Centre. They will be "monitoring the situation", and if this potentially impacts on their clientele, the possibility of security guards in the lot at Champlain Place in the future may rear it's ugly head.

[MonctonRad]

Another issue will be metal detectors at the entrance into the Avenir Centre. Everyone will have to empty their pockets (cell phones & keys) and pass through the detector. Large purses, handbags and backpack will not be allowed and entry will be denied. This could be a problem for people who arrive by bus and can't go back and store their oversized bag in their car.

I hope the metal detectors are only used at large events and not at Wildcats games, but since SMG is managing the venue and not the city, I'm concerned this will be the new normal for hockey fans........

[lirette]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Also, on CBC radio this morning, they apparently confirmed (for the first time) that the large parking lot on Foundry, immediately across the railway tracks from the Avenir Centre will be available for parking. I don't know if this is a "one off" or not, but this would be the single most important parking lot available in the core to service the Avenir Centre. I hope this continues for other events and for Wildcats games. If so, a lot of my misgivings about parking will be alleviated.

Champlain Place is apparently concerned about people parking in their lot and hopping on the bus to go the the Avenir Centre. They will be "monitoring the situation", and if this potentially impacts on their clientele, the possibility of security guards in the lot at Champlain Place in the future may rear it's ugly head.

That's the lot I'm referring to. Although talking with some people in the building apparently the owners have changed their mind on this many times, and do have gates ready to go if needed.

As for the Metal detectors, Scotiabank Centre started doing this at Moose games last season, so I'd expect this to become the norm. Its really not that big of a deal, it most cases you are through in a few minutes.

[felip_ars]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Champlain Place is apparently concerned about people parking in their lot and hopping on the bus to go the the Avenir Centre. They will be "monitoring the situation", and if this potentially impacts on their clientele, the possibility of security guards in the lot at Champlain Place in the future may rear it's ugly head.

Thats what they are doing in the mini mall in front of Place Bell. Not sure what are the "consequences" if you are parking there for an event, but I know they have a "temporary gated" section in front of a close "Sears Decor" where you need to pay 10$ (cheaper than underground parking under the venue).

The Champlain Mall is a tricky situation, because of the "almost" 24/7 Sobeys, they cant really boot/fine/tow parked cars after 9-10PM, as it might be people doing their groceries.

[SevenSquared]

Am I the only one who's heading downtown tonight not for any concert, but just to hang out and observe how this all goes down?