WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Jets say construction of new premium loge seating at the MTS Centre has left them with “real and legitimate concerns” for fans sitting in the upper level.
In a letter to season ticket holders sent Friday the NHL club said it “acknowledges that sightlines have been negatively impacted” and listed a plan to try and improve the situation.
“We’re going to take all the seats in the 300 level and raise them 2 and half inches,” said Scott Brown, Director of Corporate Communications for True North Sports and Entertainment.
Before and after the fixes done to 300-level seating:
Late last month hundreds of fans voiced their frustration with their obstructed view following the first pre-season game.
“I was struggling to see the net during the game and it was just a big disappointment,” said fan Anick Spence after the exhibition game on September 23rd.
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“We’re really upset, we really can’t believe it,” said seasons ticket holder, David Lawrence, “it seems so un-True North, so un-Winnipeg Jets.”
The new loge seats were built in the upper deck in the front row over the summer to add to the capacity.
“I think we under appreciated the impact that a lot of steel and glass work was going to have here in the 300 level and it’s something we take ownership of,” said Brown.
In Friday’s letter True North said it tried to insure the new seats would not impact the view for those on the 300-level but that “there was an under-appreciation for the amount of steel and glass required for safety railings and loge access”. True North says they didn’t realize the extent of the problem until the ice and boards went up.
To help address concerns True North released the following plan:
- All 6,500 fixed upper bowls seats will be raised 2 ½” from the existing seat platform height of 15 ½” to 18” – improving the sightlines of all 300-level patrons. This project commenced on October 14, 2015 and is expected to be completed by November 30, 2015.
- As an interim measure, an extensive review of access and railing systems (steel and glass) has, and is occurring, and unnecessary elements are being removed. The elimination of certain steel and glass has begun, and is expected to conclude by November 15, 2015 and will be subject to approvals from our engineering team (including adhering to Building Code standards) and satisfying the overriding concern for the safety of our patrons.
- To address and resolve the sight obstruction for those specific Season Seat Holders situated near the loge entrance/access points at the 300-level, please be aware that in addition to the aforementioned remedies, a number of broader construction and programing solutions are being studied in detail. Each of these options requires time for design, study, understanding, scrutiny, pricing and scheduling.
As a result, we are not in a position yet to definitively state the holistic solution. However, we wanted affected patrons to be aware and know that True North ownership, management and staff understand and own the issue, and are committed to making it right in the coming months. Restated, we want to fix the problem correctly for the long-term benefit of all 300-level patrons, and therefore we are taking the time to go through the necessary process of exploring all potential solutions comprehensively.
Lawrence says he appreciated True North taking this step.
“I’m gratified their taking the issues seriously and they’ve taken responsibility for the concerns that the fans in the 300 level have.”
Despite this, True North doesn’t regret adding the Loge seating.
“I think it adds a certain NHL feel that the building didn’t have before,” said Brown.
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