If the province opens fully on Sept. 7, Dr. Bonnie Henry says the Blazers should be able to welcome fans back to a full house (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

FANS AT SANDMAN?

Dr. Henry says Sandman Centre will be open to full capacity this fall if B.C. continues on right path

Jun 25, 2021 | 4:44 PM

KAMLOOPS — The Western Hockey League has released its 2021-22 schedule with the Blazers hosting Prince George in their home-opener Oct. 9.

But many questions have arisen around how many fans will be allowed in the building. If you ask provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, the Sandman Centre will have fans and may very well be at full capacity.

“Yes, I do expect us to be able to have fans and spectators at these events,” Dr. Henry told CFJC Today during a one-on-one interview. “It’s coming up very soon. If people are immunized, then the need to wear masks will go down, the ability to come together in larger groups will be safe.”

Dr. Henry didn’t guarantee full capacity at the Sandman Centre, only saying the Blazers would be allowed to sell out if the province re-opens on schedule Sept. 7.

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The Blazers are thrilled to hear there will even be fans in the building when the season opens.

“That’s certainly coming from the top person in B.C., and if that is certainly the case, then it’ll be full steam ahead,” said Blazers COO Don Moores. “I know for us, we’ve been a bit tentative because the wording has been a bit cryptic in the sense that beginning September the 7th we’ll see what will happen.”

Moores says the uncertainty is why the league scheduled an early October start, instead of the usual September beginning.

The Blazers have already reached out to season-ticket holders, who will get first priority if seating happens to be limited.

“We’re taking care of them. They’ll know that they have a place in Sandman Centre. Some of the big questions are, ‘Will I still get my seats that I had in previous years?’ We’re hoping that’s the case, and as you say, if Dr. Henry says that we’re getting back to normal, then that shouldn’t be a challenge for us.”

If the province indeed opens back to normal, Dr. Henry notes there will be no need to provide proof of vaccinations, which some NHL teams have required during the playoffs when arenas have been full.

Dr. Henry is optimistic about the potential for a packed house in October, but she also warns that hockey season, of course, begins in the fall when respiratory illnesses could creep up.

“As much as we want, the thing we need to do now are to get as low transmission of this virus in our community in the next few months, get as many people protected as possible, and that’s what’s going to allow us to do everything that we want to do and get back to in fall.”

Whatever transpires in the next couple months around COVID-19, the Blazers will follow the provincial health guidelines.

“Whatever the province is saying that needs to happen to attendance, we’ll follow that,” said Moores. “If they’re saying that masks will be required, we’ll do that. If not, then we’ll follow that as well, and if some of our fans want to wear masks, then that’s certainly up to them.”