Belleville Sens select partner for new arena

The Yardmen Burger, Belleville Salad and Chicken Mac and Cheese: these are just a few samples of the grub that’ll be served up to fans during the Belleville Senators inaugural season.

“Honestly I probably haven’t stopped smiling until since I received that proposal,”  laughed Rob Mullowney the chief operating officer of the new franchise.

On Wednesday the Belleville Senators announced they are partnering with Spectra, an international food services provider with facilities in Canada, the U.S. and Singapore.

The company will be responsible for all food and hospitality services at all Belleville Senators home games.

“We’re still an American Hockey League building, we’re very family orientated and the products and the pricing that you’ll see will be positioned for that market,” said Mullowney.

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Spectra says it will use local suppliers and products wherever possible. In addition, the company’s vice-president of arenas and stadiums, Mike Scanlan, explained that the company intends on hiring more than 100 people who will be tasked with delivering the best customer service experience money can buy.

“We believe in hockey, we believe in professional hockey which you will be getting here and we believe in the fan experience,”  Scanlan said.

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The team hits the ice in November which means it’s full steam ahead as construction crews continue to work around the clock to finish renovations at the Yardmen Arena, including the installation of a new NHL-sized ice surface.

“Our bricks and mortar are going up as planned, all of the interior pieces are in place and most importantly that the schedule to move people in is working out very well,” Belleville Parks and Recreation supervisor Mark Fluhrer said.

However, one question remains in the spotlight: who will get the arena’s naming rights?

“Quite honestly, today we’re not ready to announce someone but we are certainly in discussions with companies on that particular opportunity,” Mullowney said. He added that the company will be “locally focused but more with the ability to become a naming-rights partner.”

The team hits the ice for the first home game on Nov. 1.