'It was a success': Events Centre on Saturday's sell-out crowd

The Moose Jaw Events Centre was flooded with people on Saturday night, as the Moose Jaw Warriors took on their arch-rival the Regina Pats for the final time this regular season.  

Just shy of 5,000 fans walked through the doors of the events centre on what would be a sold-out affair.  

Though it wasn’t the result the Warriors hoped for losing 7-3 to the Pats, the overall experience was a success.  

“The fans did what they did, they came early and planned their trip to the Moose Jaw Events Centre appropriately in terms of parking, timing, and getting to the facility,” says event centre general manager, Ryan McIvor. “I think all of our planning and preparations paid off for the fans and the building in terms of lines, people movement, and preparedness. I’m proud of my entire team who executed the event.” 

Between admission personnel, volunteers, and event centre staff, there were anywhere from 90-100 people working at the game on Saturday night.  

McIvor says that there were no major hiccups, disruptions, or complaints that threw the event staff into a tailspin.  

“There’s always something small but I would tell you that it’s more critical on the staff side in terms of oh this happened, or this didn’t happen, but I think from a fan perspective they would have never known the difference. It was a great success for the staff,” adds McIvor. 

With an event of this size, there is an economic boost to both the facility and the Moose Jaw Warriors with people purchasing 50/50 tickets, food, alcohol, jersey raffles, swag, and much more.  

McIvor couldn’t provide the exact amount of how much was spent at Saturday’s game, but he did say that it was a healthy financial impact.  

Moose Jaw’s downtown also saw an economic spinoff with thousands of people spending their evening downtown at restaurants, businesses, or at the sold-out Healthcare Rocks event at the Mae Wilson Theatre.  

“I think the business community felt that this weekend with a lot of people coming from out of town like Regina or surrounding communities who may not come to Moose Jaw on a regular basis. I believe people will come back to Moose Jaw again to check out the tunnels, the spa, or all the other great amenities that we have here in Moose Jaw.” 

McIvor is urging people to come out and support the Warriors this Saturday night for their final regular season home game against the Saskatoon Blades at 7 p.m. 

For the Moose Jaw Events Centre staff, they have been burning the midnight oil preparing for not only the Warriors/Pats game last weekend, but then immediately flipping the ice for the Moose Jaw Skating Club’s year-end performance, and then began preparations for the 2023 National Wheelchair Curling Championships at the Moose Jaw Curling Centre, which kicked off on Monday.  

The curling championships will run until Friday with draws twice daily at 2 and 7 p.m. Those interested in attending or want more information can visit their website.