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

[MonctonianSentinel01]

Originally Posted by 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?

lol, nice. That would be interesting! Take some pictures

[Ammn_guy]

I was outside at 3, some people out and about already with the pre-requisite corona cowboy hats.
And of course the city has a vacuum truck crew working downtown on main with flaggers.. removing tree stumps.,slowing traffic, making a racket and blowing dust everywhere.
Nothing like having a pre-concert drink with a vacuum truck wailing in you ear. Great planning.

Originally Posted by MonctonianSentinel01

lol, nice. That would be interesting! Take some pictures

[Colouratura]

Originally Posted by 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?

You're definitely not the only one with the idea. heh heh I'll be roaming around too.

[Colouratura]

If you go to the train station, Sobeys or Shoppers you will be stopped by security. Train station allowing parking for $10.

People as of 5:32 are lined from the entrance, down the path toward the tracks and back towards Main a bit and then circles back around the back of the centre. All disabled spots full.

6:45 there are three lines. One starts by Sobeys, one curves astound the Plaza and Centre, the third line goes almost to the subway.

7:30 No line around back. The line now is one that starts towards the bus stops, down Main, down Canada St., across the Plaza and up the side back to the front door.

People coming up Main from the subway are directed down towards Sobeys to join the line.

[lirette]

Originally Posted by Colouratura

If you go to the train station, Sobeys or Shoppers you will be stopped by security. Train station allowing parking for $10.

People as of 5:32 are lined from the entrance, down the path toward the tracks and back towards Main a bit and then circles back around the back of the centre. All disabled spots full.

6:45 there are three lines. One starts by Sobeys, one curves astound the Plaza and Centre, the third line goes almost to the subway.

7:30 No line around back. The line now is one that starts towards the bus stops, down Main, down Canada St., across the Plaza and up the side back to the front door.

People coming up Main from the subway are directed down towards Sobeys to join the line.

I have a friend who was in line at 5:45 and got in by 6:15. I dropped off a few friends at the door (drove right down main coming from Vaughn Harvey with almost no traffic) and there was probably about 100 waiting to get through security, this was about 7:45 or so.

As for parking it appeared most of the street spots downtown were being used, funny enough there was space in one of the only garages downtown across from St James Gate.

Times & Transcript parking lot was doing their own parking for $10 as well. Heritage Court had maybe 100 cars in their lot at most. So at least from my small drive around observation parking was not the nightmare everyone declared it to be considering this is a sellout show. I'm sure a concert like this benefits from having many of its attendees already downtown at the Delta/Crown/Marriotts.

Saw lots of people getting off the bus as well.

One thing is for sure..seeing that atmosphere downtown on a Wednesday night was incredible. I had chills seeing people poor down main street with signs for Keith.

[SevenSquared]

I observed pretty much the same.

Found a space just below St George on Cameron at 6:45, 7 minute walk.

Side note: the sitting areas at the end of the outdoor stage next to the oval are absolutely brilliant for people-watching.

[MonctonRad]

According to the Moncton Wildcats, season ticket sales are up 18% over last year. By the time of the first puck drop, they'e hoping for a 20% increase in season tickets........

[MonctonRad]

From tonight - copied from Mayor Dawn Arnolds FB page:

[BlackYear]

After finishing work at 9pm, I decided to drive around the area to see what the parking situation looked like.

Side streets all the way up to St George street pretty much all taken, except when you go further than Archibald. Lutz street and beyond going east, lots of side street parking.

Heritage parking across the tracks, 70% empty.

Parking garage, parking still available.

Main street past Mexicala Rosa, some parking available right on Main.

[gehrhardt]

It's good that the parking situation wasn't as bad as predicted. However, September does not have the same issues as January or February. On-street parking will be basically non-existent, taking care of a lot of available spots.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by gehrhardt

It's good that the parking situation wasn't as bad as predicted. However, September does not have the same issues as January or February. On-street parking will be basically non-existent, taking care of a lot of available spots.

Good point, but if the big lot on Foundry remains available, this will do a great deal to ameliorate the situation.

I'm also concerned about the metal detector checkpoint at entry. It was a perfect evening last night, but it does rain occasionally in Moncton and we get the odd flake of snow and some cold temperatures in the winter time. They will have to tweak their system for poor weather..........

[SevenSquared]

Probably a longshot, but did anyone here attend the concert and park downtown? If so, how was traffic after the event?

[eastcoastcountrygirl]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Good point, but if the big lot on Foundry remains available, this will do a great deal to ameliorate the situation.

I'm also concerned about the metal detector checkpoint at entry. It was a perfect evening last night, but it does rain occasionally in Moncton and we get the odd flake of snow and some cold temperatures in the winter time. They will have to tweak their system for poor weather..........

I'm under the impression that the lot on Foundry owned by Heritage Management will remain private parking, and not open to the public for events. I could be wrong, but that is my impression from a number of things I've heard.

Very disappointed to hear that water alone costs $5. I know it's in line with pricing at a lot of large events centres, but will become cost prohibitive to be able to bring my whole family to a Wildcats game.

[Feneant]

I drove up St. Georges around 6:30 and there were dozens of spots available on the side of the road within a 1-2Km distance walk from the 'Av. I have to eat my words because I've been saying all along that parking would be a giant clusterfudge and it may not be the case after all. Way I see it, either parking isn't an issue or people were so worried they parked much farther away and didn't even consider going closer. I mention this as I noticed a number of cars in the Staples parking lot, across the street near Running Room, etc. and at the Rhodd they had a guard where I think they were charging for parking (good on them if so, easy money to be made).

[Sunnybrae]

Originally Posted by Feneant

I drove up St. Georges around 6:30 and there were dozens of spots available on the side of the road within a 1-2Km distance walk from the 'Av. I have to eat my words because I've been saying all along that parking would be a giant clusterfudge and it may not be the case after all. Way I see it, either parking isn't an issue or people were so worried they parked much farther away and didn't even consider going closer. I mention this as I noticed a number of cars in the Staples parking lot, across the street near Running Room, etc. and at the Rhodd they had a guard where I think they were charging for parking (good on them if so, easy money to be made).

I think issues might show up more in the winter. Having said that, I think people will use public transportation more or get dropped off because of the cold.

[Photo1]

Hearing $5 for a bottle of water and $10 for a beer...don't think that is going to fly with families and season ticket holders at Wildcats games. This isn't the Bell Center or the ACC now is it SMG?

[lirette]

Originally Posted by Photo1

Hearing $5 for a bottle of water and $10 for a beer...don't think that is going to fly with families and season ticket holders at Wildcats games. This isn't the Bell Center or the ACC now is it SMG?

I've never once bought bottled water at an event. I believe they are testing the market, I think their sales were likely fine at a concert like Keith Urban last night. Its the same prices that you see at CBMF and people still pay it. Also ACC & Bell Cente is more like $20 for a tallboy

When you are already spending $150 on tickets its not big deal but agree with you that if you are attending 34 wildcats games a year $10 beers are not very appealing. I'd be perfectly fine paying 6$-8$ for a craft beer but $10 for a domestic is hard to justify. With those prices i'll be more likely to splurge on 3-4 beers on the odd Friday or Saturday game but will not be grabbing a beer on Sunday afternoon or weeknight games. My guess is you may see these prices drop down the road.

The food prices seem ok, I know the quality is much better than at the Coliseum. Hoping there will be a few of the usual coupons in the Wildcats season ticket package.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by McKay

Dumbest idea I've heard all month

Guess you haven't been to many sporting events lately. Most have mandatory metal detectors these days.

Originally Posted by Photo1

Hearing $5 for a bottle of water and $10 for a beer...don't think that is going to fly with families and season ticket holders at Wildcats games. This isn't the Bell Center or the ACC now is it SMG?

This is surely an exaggeration, at least for the water.

Bottled water at most events is $3.50 tops depending on size.

$10 beer depends on size. I've paid nearly $20 for some sizeable beers at select stadiums and $8.50-$11.00 for tall cans.

Originally Posted by lirette

One thing is for sure..seeing that atmosphere downtown on a Wednesday night was incredible. I had chills seeing people poor down main street with signs for Keith.

Hell of an improvement over forcing everyone to drive to Millennium and Wheeler. Downtown venues allow for a much better atmosphere around buildings, options before and after shows, and don't limit the amount people can drink.

-----------------

Not surprising to hear that parking wasn't much of an issue. It's almost like there had to be something wrong for there to be a story in the leadup and it turned out to be parking.

[lirette]

Originally Posted by JHikka

Guess you haven't been to many sporting events lately. Most have mandatory metal detectors these days.


This is surely an exaggeration, at least for the water.

Bottled water at most events is $3.50 tops depending on size.

$10 beer depends on size. I've paid nearly $20 for some sizeable beers at select stadiums and $8.50-$11.00 for tall cans.


Hell of an improvement over forcing everyone to drive to Millennium and Wheeler. Downtown venues allow for a much better atmosphere around buildings, options before and after shows, and don't limit the amount people can drink.

-----------------

Not surprising to hear that parking wasn't much of an issue. It's almost like there had to be something wrong for there to be a story in the leadup and it turned out to be parking.

$5 for Water is accurate. Although Ive never seen anyone freakout over water prices. Drink water before & after the concert or game. Or bring a small bottle & filll it up at a fountain.

$10 beer is for a tallboy & pumphouse draft.

[emad]

I wonder if they’ll do the same as Centre Vidéotron in Quebec for food and beverages prices? In Quebec, they have different prices for concerts and major events but lower prices for QMJHL games. I guess we’ll see on the 28...