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

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by 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...

This is also accurate.

Originally Posted by lirette

$10 beer is for a tallboy & pumphouse draft.

Totally fine. Part of joining the big leagues with arenas is joining the big leagues with prices.

[McKay]

Originally Posted by JHikka

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

I haven't darkened the doors of Harbour Station or the Aitken Centre for years. Do they, now?

[MonctonRad]

Nice perspective of the plaza in front of the Avenir Centre, with the federal office complex in the background.

Why does Moncton suddenly seem like a much larger city???

[Monctoncore]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Nice perspective of the plaza in front of the Avenir Centre, with the federal office complex in the background.

Why does Moncton suddenly seem like a much larger city???

Imagine how it will feel if more spinoff developments happen. Or when the new police station is finished, and possibly the realignment of the streets between Main and assumption.

[Ire Narissis]

Originally Posted by McKay

I haven't darkened the doors of Harbour Station or the Aitken Centre for years. Do they, now?

Harbour Station doesn't, at least not for hockey games and smaller events. Not sure if they've ever brought in portables for a big concert, but none of the concerts or events I've been to there have ever had them.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by McKay

I haven't darkened the doors of Harbour Station or the Aitken Centre for years. Do they, now?

I'm referencing larger venues.

Habs, Blue Jays, Rogers Cup...all have metal detectors. IIRC the Sens do as well but that arena is in such a useless location I hardly ever go. Some will do body sweeps and others have the full gate setup (similar to airports).

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

In reference to the beer prices earlier in the thread I received a promotional email from the Ottawa 67s today.

For every Friday game:
$20 for a ticket and a beer.
$7 beers until the end of the first period (Bud/Bud Light ).

[Monctoncore]

I know people fear the idea of metal detectors as it may slow things down, but that’s the reality in the world we live in now. The idea that something bad can’t happen here, is a bad way to think and at the end of the day, it’s better to be safe and have the stuff in place. I would feel much better going knowing that they are looking out for guests to the arena.

As for the drink prices, it may not be a bad thing to have the prices a little higher, it may help cut off the drunken activities that can cause arenas to get bad reputations.

[PEI highway guy]

[QUOTE=Monctoncore;8315215]I know people fear the idea of metal detectors as it may slow things down, but that’s the reality in the world we live in now. The idea that something bad can’t happen here, is a bad way to think and at the end of the day, it’s better to be safe and have the stuff in place. I would feel much better going knowing that they are looking out for guests to the arena.


After what happened at the Vegas concert a year or so ago, I think metal detectors will be normal at most venues,.

[McKay]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

I know people fear the idea of metal detectors as it may slow things down, but that’s the reality in the world we live in now. The idea that something bad can’t happen here, is a bad way to think and at the end of the day, it’s better to be safe and have the stuff in place. I would feel much better going knowing that they are looking out for guests to the arena.

Do you honestly feel unsafe in an arena what doesn't use metal detectors?

The chance of any kind of violence that metal detectors would prevent is vanishingly small in the first place. You might as well build a twenty-foot thick concrete shell over the building to prevent a meteorite from punching through the roof and killing someone, because that could happen too.

In the exceedingly rare event that someone does actually want to commit large-scale violence, at best you can only displace the threat. You don't have to bring a gun into the arena; just rent a hotel room across the street and wait for the end of the concert. Are bombs your thing? Get a job as a rink rat, box office attendant, or cleaner. You know they're not scanning the staff who come to work every day.

It's pure security theatre. Nobody is any safer, but that's okay because everybody is pretty safe to begin with.

[Monctoncore]

It doesn’t change how safe I feel, nor does it matter to me. That’s the point I’m making, it’s not a big deal. What is so scary about having to wait an extra few minutes, what’s the problem with people taking precautions. People making a huge deal over metal detectors is childish at best. Anything can happen, but it doesn’t hurt to try and stop it before it happens. What is so scary about a metal detector? Is it that you might have to wait? Are you planning on bringing something to the arena, that you don’t actually need.

[BlackYear]

So here's my feedback, concerns, all round experience with my first ever show at the Avenir Centre.

Event: Chicago

Line up & security checks: This part was a joke. First, the line up. See photo below. Doors open at 6:00, show suppose to start at 8:00. I got to the corner of Main & Highfield at 7:30 and couldn't believe my eyes. The line up started right at the corner, see first arrow. My first thought, no f-en way. I'm just going to go back home. I really really really HATE line ups. I decided to just sit by the Resurgo sculpture and wait it out. I then noticed the line moving at an ok speed. I decided to jump in line. Police presence everywhere directing everyone. Ended up chit chatting with the folks behind me. There were from NS. They had no idea the event centre was just opened last week. Got to the white tent area in photo (photo from grand opening) and mosquitoes started to attack. Walked by door #6, this appeared to be a VIP entrance with no line up, but security check was there. The line split into two, then into four. From start to security, it took about 15-20 minutes. Security checks with handheld metal detectors was being done outside on the side walks. In almost every case, the security guys with the scanner was scanning bare legs from people in shorts, like myself. I made a joke out of it with the people behind me. I have my weapon hidden in my calf. They checked inside every women purses even if they were over 50 of age. Really?

Getting to seats: Quick, easy, no problems. Beer stands everywhere. Two in lobby alone. I bought a $10 tallboy.

Concert experience: Pretty good. Started at 8:10ish. Comparable to larger arena venues in MTL & TO. Bought a $15 Chicago tour book to add to my collection.

Concerns: I left early to head somewhere else to watch another show. Before I exited, the door people warned, if you leave, you can NOT come back in. WHAT? I didn't bother asking questions.

Biggest concern. They really need to figure out these massive line ups to get in. I'm planning on bringing my 80 yr old dad to a Wild Cats game later this month and he has bad knees who can't walk of stand for long. Last night was a nice night to be standing in line, but if it's rains, gets cold, snows, or whatever, that's going to be a problem for a lot of folks.

[MonctonRad]

I agree. A long line snaking around the Avenir Centre Plaza is just a minor nuisance on a sunny summer evening, but it will be something entirely different on a cold, windy February evening when it is -15C with a windchill of -35.

They really need to figure this thing out within the next couple of months or else there will be a lot of complaints.

[lirette]

I don't suspect you'll see the same issues with lines for Wildcats games as you would for a concert. People sort of stagger into the facility whenever they get there, also season ticket holders will be able to get in 90 minutes before and the walkups 60 minutes. So that will stagger it abit on its own. Concerts are a bigger ticket price and people show up early to soak in the atmosphere.

Perhaps the home opener will have a big line but there will also be activities in the plaza that may keep people out there until 30 minutes before the game.

[MonctonianSentinel01]

In the Chicago concert the doors opened at 6 and the show started at 8. So that's a 2 hour window to get everyone in. Other than season ticket holders, a full size crowd will only have 1 hour to pour in rather than 2. So wouldn't it be worse? The concerts do hold more people because of floor seating but I don't think that makes a huge difference.

[BlackYear]

Forgot to mention, Heritage Court parking lot across the tracks was pretty much empty again. So Keith Urban sold out show and now Chicago's 75% sold out (stage at half ice) and no one is parking at Heritage yet.

We'll have to wait for Friday's Sept 28 7:30pm Wildcats season opener to see what happens to this lot then.

[CodiacCanuck]

I think an announcement has to be made by either Heritage Court or City of Moncton. Too many people are still unsure if they are actually allowed to park there.

[lirette]

Originally Posted by CodiacCanuck

I think an announcement has to be made by either Heritage Court or City of Moncton. Too many people are still unsure if they are actually allowed to park there.

The signage they've put has definitely deterred some people I'm guessing. The signs say "reserved parking" and that they have right to tow unauthorized vehicles. However my understanding is this signage is just allowing them to deal with vehicles that are in the reserved red & blue spots and that the yellow spots are up for grabs.

The security they had stationed was only in a position to monitor the blue and red spots up front.

Confusing to someone whos not familiar with that lot.

[Ire Narissis]

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

It doesn’t change how safe I feel, nor does it matter to me. That’s the point I’m making, it’s not a big deal. What is so scary about having to wait an extra few minutes, what’s the problem with people taking precautions. People making a huge deal over metal detectors is childish at best. Anything can happen, but it doesn’t hurt to try and stop it before it happens. What is so scary about a metal detector? Is it that you might have to wait? Are you planning on bringing something to the arena, that you don’t actually need.

What's scary about it is willingly allowing the erosion of freedom for the illusion of security.

If the perceived risk of mass violence is enough to make you feel unsafe, then you might as well shutter yourself inside your house and never leave again, because the chances of dying in a car crash on your way to the event are exponentially higher than those of ever being involved in a violent incident once you're there.

I know these things are subjective and all, but I feel safer without intrusive security theatre because its mere presence makes the vanishingly tiny risk seem a lot more substantial, and because it's invasive to be militantly scanned as if I'm some kind of criminal waiting to happen.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by CodiacCanuck

I think an announcement has to be made by either Heritage Court or City of Moncton. Too many people are still unsure if they are actually allowed to park there.

Agree absolutely.

Moncton motorists are now trained to assume that private surface lots are automatically unavailable for use. I think a bit of positive reinforcement is necessary here. Heritage Management has to make it overtly clear that event parking in their large lot is welcome and encouraged.

[Nashe]

I've been through it several times before it was complete, but I personally can't wait until I have an excuse to go for an event. Alas I don't like large crowds.