The Tigers Den is just one of the entertainment options offered at Co-op Place starting this fall.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
Medicine Hat Tigers fans and those attending Co-op Place this fall and winter can look forward to a renewed fan experience.
The Co-op Place staff has implemented some new food and drink offerings and experiences throughout the arena to further improve the fan experience on a nightly basis. It’s something event unit manager Derek Schesnuk says is a priority.
“We’re really focused on the guest’s experience more than just a hockey game,” Schesnuk said. “When people come out, we’ve heard it time and time again through surveys and comments, people want to enjoy the event as an experience, not just necessarily a game, or a concert or show. They’re there for food, they’re there for beverages and they’re there for the entertainment factor. It’s kind of a one-stop shop, the best entertainment venue in the city.”
To kick off the 2023-24 Tigers’ season, Co-op Place is hosting a home opener patio party from 5-7 p.m. Fans can build up to the excitement of opening night with food and beverages on the patio. Schesnuk says it’s utilizing an unused space as well as testing the space for future usage now that it’s fully licensed.
“We’ll look to activate it in the future for different events as well and then hopefully, in the spring come the Tigers’ playoff push, we’ll be able to activate that once the weather warms up and get people really pumped up for the playoffs,” Schesnuk said.
New this Tigers and entertainment season, Co-op Place is offering a North concourse bar, which will have local offerings as well as for the first time, plus domestic beer available on draft in 16 and 32oz sizes. They will be holding a naming contest for the bar, with the winning selection receiving a $20 gift card and a pair or reusable Co-op Place cups.
Those reusable cups will also be made available for purchase.
They have improved the Level Two Whisky Bar on the upper concourse and it will feature premium whiskies and cocktails found nowhere else in the venue. Another new element added to the game night and event experience is the introduction of in-seat ordering and service for the club seats. Fans will be able to scan a QR code and order food and beverages for either pickup on the concourse or delivery to their seat. That feature, only in the club seating, is operational starting Oct. 7.
Co-op Place is returning some fan favourite experiences as well, with the Tigers Den back in operation for the upcoming season. The fully stocked bar is again being joined with a create-your-own-pizza option, allowing fans to enjoy the game at a different angle.
They are also returning the Saturday night buffets, with seven pre-game dinners scheduled for the season, the first being Sept. 30. More information on the buffets is available at tixx.ca.
Co-op Place has community suites available for the upcoming season which come with food and beverage, another way to watch the game with a large group or as a work outing. Any inquiries about renting a suite can be made at boxoffice@medicinehat.ca.
“We’re looking forward to the Tigers, it’s going to be a really exciting season,” Schesnuk said. “I’m looking forward to having a lot of people through our doors.”
Co-op Place has more than just the Tigers on its entertainment slate in the coming months, with PBR’s Medicine Hat Classic returning Oct. 14, the Medicine Hat Moto Sports Triple Crown Arena Cross on Oct. 21, Tom Cochrane and Trooper on Nov. 10 and Crique Musica-Holiday Wonderland on Nov. 21.
