Kitchener Rangers 2019 Offseason Thread

[robertmac43]

Exactly. And how many people take city transit to the game now? And I'd like to see the survey that shows "seniors" don't spend money. That's a myth not fact.

That's what I was going to say. I think I see many more seniors spending money at the arena than I see people my age spending money. I'm coming at this from the perspective as an under-25 STH

 

[EvenSteven]

Exactly. And how many people take city transit to the game now? And I'd like to see the survey that shows "seniors" don't spend money. That's a myth not fact.

Some seniors probably do spend some money. But I believe the list is short of seniors who go to a game and after buying tickets, drop a ton of money at the bar or at concessions. I'm not a senior yet but the only money I really spend is when I bring the grandkids. Going to the game just me and my wife, we spent virtually nothing after the cost of the ticket. We eat supper at home and because it's such a quick drive to the building, easy parking, etc, we find no need to spend much money at a game at all. Is the luxury of having a location right beside the expressway that takes you to most parts of the region in just a few minutes.

 

[robertmac43]

I think the answer to this is that STH in general do not spend much money at the game. Old or young we have already made huge financial investments in the team and are less likely to spend money after going through the gate because of it.

Non STH both old and young go to games and spend more money because it is more of an outing and less of a routine. For us people who go every friday it's just a part of our life its not seen as a night out or anything like that. At least in my mind.

 

[bobber]

Also, with a complex area the size that I suggested bordered by the expressway to Ottawa Street to King Street to Borden, you would have room for a really nice new building, current parking volume, the other things I suggested would go there, Ward's new baseball complex and even space set up for a Jurassic Park type of possibility - all part of the new, extended downtown.

Also it can be seen by thousands of people in cars on the expressway. Free advertisement right outside the doors.

 

[bobber]

I think the answer to this is that STH in general do not spend much money at the game. Old or young we have already made huge financial investments in the team and are less likely to spend money after going through the gate because of it.

Non STH both old and young go to games and spend more money because it is more of an outing and less of a routine. For us people who go every friday it's just a part of our life its not seen as a night out or anything like that. At least in my mind.

I have seen many young families with seasons tickets bringing their own snacks to the games. When a bottle of water cost $3.50 you can't blame them. I sent an email to the Aud office a few years back complaining that Bingemans who ran the concessions at the time we're ripping people off. Needless to say I got call from the Aud and Bingeman. The Aud spokes person was polite. Bingemans called and were pissed that I used the words "ripped off". Needless to say I never got a free bottle of water for my effort.

 

[robertmac43]

I have seen many young families with seasons tickets bringing their own snacks to the games. When a bottle of water cost $3.50 you can't blame them. I sent an email to the Aud office a few years back complaining that Bingemans who ran the concessions at the time we're ripping people off. Needless to say I got call from the Aud and Bingeman. The Aud spokes person was polite. Bingemans called and were pissed that I used the words "ripped off". Needless to say I never got a free bottle of water for my effort.

The only thing in the arena I'll spend money on in that arena is the odd bag of beer nuts. But even then they want 5 dollars..... errrg

 

[GeoBlue]

The only thing in the arena I'll spend money on in that arena is the odd bag of beer nuts. But even then they want 5 dollars..... errrg

I purchased a pretzel once but had a heart attack before I could put it in my mouth. I wonder if they slashed ALL prices by 50% for an entire month if they would make the same profit by shear extra volume of sales?

 

[robertmac43]

I purchased a pretzel once but had a heart attack before I could put it in my mouth. I wonder if they slashed ALL prices by 50% for an entire month if they would make the same profit by shear extra volume of sales?

I think that would be a successful strategy.

I also think that the Rangers should do more in terms of food deal days, sales, etc. I guess they have a store item 20ish% off each Friday but other than that nothing much goes on for the fans in that regard.

Also I wish there were more benefits to being a STH other than 10% coupons and some other random stuff.

 

[Bjorn Le]

I imagine being proactive the powers that be discuss these things. With the money spent recently to update the Aud I can't see the city spending the millions it would take to build a new arena. It's risky. If you build it they will come sometimes only happens in movies.

The sense I've got is that it's moved to discussions about cost, location, and a long term strategy for funding it. Nothing concrete, and nothing anytime soon. But something by the early late 2020s, early 2030s.

I think a problem is deciding whether it should be a 12,000 person arena or an 17,000+ person arena. I know 12,000 used to be the plan but that was almost a decade ago and KW has expanded a lot since then. With the decline of FirstOntario Centre, there's a lot of room for an full-sized arena in the Region if we're looking long term (completion date in the 2030s). The Region could easily be at 700,000+ people by then, and a 12,000 seat arena will be looking lacking. At that size they'll need significant and deep pocketed outside investors, however.

 

[MatthewsMoustache]

RANGERS VISION: Jacob Ingham Interview – Kitchener Rangers

interesting number. seems like a great kid

 

[Rangers True Blue]

I have seen many young families with seasons tickets bringing their own snacks to the games. When a bottle of water cost $3.50 you can't blame them. I sent an email to the Aud office a few years back complaining that Bingemans who ran the concessions at the time we're ripping people off. Needless to say I got call from the Aud and Bingeman. The Aud spokes person was polite. Bingemans called and were pissed that I used the words "ripped off". Needless to say I never got a free bottle of water for my effort.

Nice attitude eh? I don't mind people making money but with the concession prices (alcolhol and food), they're making profit on their profit. Everyone's getting their cut including the City of Kitchener and by the time it gets to the consumer, BOOM.

Sure thing, for the people who only attend the odd game, it's not the same thing as we who come faithfully to 0ver 90% of the games. But as you noted Bobber, don't bother complaining because it only falls on deaf ears.

 

[Fischhaber]

I have seen many young families with seasons tickets bringing their own snacks to the games. When a bottle of water cost $3.50 you can't blame them. I sent an email to the Aud office a few years back complaining that Bingemans who ran the concessions at the time we're ripping people off. Needless to say I got call from the Aud and Bingeman. The Aud spokes person was polite. Bingemans called and were pissed that I used the words "ripped off". Needless to say I never got a free bottle of water for my effort.

So does a third party operate the concessions in Kitchener? I never paid much attention to it at other arenas, but the city operates the concessions in the Soo and the prices are more reasonable. Beer is still high, but you can get something like fries and a pop for $5 I believe.

 

[EvenSteven]

So does a third party operate the concessions in Kitchener? I never paid much attention to it at other arenas, but the city operates the concessions in the Soo and the prices are more reasonable. Beer is still high, but you can get something like fries and a pop for $5 I believe.

From what I understand, though I could be wrong, the rights are contracted out to the highest bidder.

The successful bidder then jacks up the prices and provides subpar quality and quantity to make up for the cost of the rights.

The consumer is the loser.

 

[Fischhaber]

From what I understand, though I could be wrong, the rights are contracted out to the highest bidder.

The successful bidder then jacks up the prices and provides subpar quality and quantity to make up for the cost of the rights.

The consumer is the loser.

That's unfortunate for Rangers fans. It seems unnecessary for the team to inject a third party into the mix when they could most certainly do it themselves at lower prices for the consumer. I believe that Sudbury and North Bay do it at the team level as well.

 

[rangersblues]

That would be true if they really cared about the consumer. It's easier to pimp out the service to a contractor and sit back without taking responsibility.

 

[bobber]

Let's face it. If you have more disposible income you can spend more money on food , drinks and souvaniers at a game. Not sure if the Rangers benefit from concessions. We are there to watch the Rangers not enrich someone like Bingeman or whoever has the contract to run consessions. The people that share the seats beside us drink 3 or 4 tall boys every game. Two were so hammered after a game they couldn't dial the number to call a cab. It was funny to watch them but sad when one of them had a child at the game.

 

[Ward Cornell]

I guess Mike McKenzie must have had an awesome off season that no one is talking hockey. Doug Ford must be right that people are concerned about a "a buck a beer"!
Let's drop the puck!

 

[EvenSteven]

That would be true if they really cared about the consumer. It's easier to pimp out the service to a contractor and sit back without taking responsibility.

Once the STH cap was introduced and the waiting list created, most consideration for the fan went out the window. There was no longer a reason to entice people to buy season tickets. No reason to try and give fans a reason to come to games.

It went from "Please come to games! Please buy season tickets! We'll do this and that for you. Etc etc " to: "You need not complain. Just feel lucky to be granted the privilege to come to games"

 

[EvenSteven]

I guess Mike McKenzie must have had an awesome off season that no one is talking hockey. Doug Ford must be right that people are concerned about a "a buck a beer"!
Let's drop the puck!

I'm with you!! But we're over a month away.

 

[Rangers True Blue]

I'm with you!! But we're over a month away.

And waiting for Pinelli to sign....sign already. Also our imports! Training camp looms in the very near distance. BUT I'm not wishing summer away!!

 

[K2]

From what I understand, though I could be wrong, the rights are contracted out to the highest bidder. The successful bidder then jacks up the prices and provides subpar quality and quantity to make up for the cost of the rights.

True & the contract does change hands fairly frequently. The heavy fee & lighter margin associated with sporadically running a fairly large 'occasional event foodservice' does force the hand of the operator to price items above regular market and their exclusivity isn't protected (to my knowledge) vs many big time sports facilities as I've readily observed people openly bringing in their own food, Tims, McD, Subway, etc for decades. I think the current food&bev operator's pricey fare has been pretty good vs prior operators pricey fare and there may well be an evolving crapload of stipulations and sanctions in the contract nowadays to ensure a decent 'fast-food standard' vs the truly dodgey 'grey burger' grub of even a few years ago.

Not sure if the Rangers benefit from concessions.

The Rangers only benefit from walkup beer concession sales (not at the bar or suites). SB & co have considered buying the food & bev contract to increase revenue (+ benefit from non-game events too) but it's very risky for light return after fees and op cost, especially for a non-foodservice specialist ... despite the prices charged. It's not well understood but the STH shareholder ownership/not-for-profit structure forces the team to be extremely risk averse. There's allowance for having 'continuation funds' to operate, etc very short term as a not-for-profit org but there's no big pile of cash and any notable revenue loss is a huge problem given there's no outside funds or true tangible collateral to backstop a major/ongoing shortfall or take on any debt w/o city co-operation (... ie addition to AUD, etc) outside of scaling way back on expenses and community programs/donations then, if doomed, altering the not-for-profit corp and selling the team.

With the money spent recently to update the Aud I can't see the city spending the millions it would take to build a new arena

Options were considered at times during the upswing since Y2K and the only feasible action was renovation. There's no local/prov/fed money (& it's @ $0 now) for an arena and private patron possibilities diminished as RIM and prior local mogal fortunes came and went. Now attendance is in decline and most nights are well under capacity, despite attendance numbers reported. Maybe in 10-20 years we'll need a big arena but not for an amateur team as main tenant and it may well even be a soccer stadium that attracts the next major civic investment in sport ... ?

 

[Coaches Coroner]

When I go to games I try and take in my own drink, if not, all I buy is a drink if needed and a bag of beer nuts. Occasionally I've had a slice at the pizza pizza if I hadn't had dinner, it's over priced but not drastically so compared to what a slice costs at a standalone pizza pizza iirc.

 

[rangersblues]

When a bottle of water cost $3.50 you can't blame them.

The City of Kitchener needs to get with the times and install water fountains or hydration stations or whatever you call them so people can fill their own bottle. Selling bottled water may go down in history as one of the worst innovations.

 

[bobber]

The City of Kitchener needs to get with the times and install water fountains or hydration stations or whatever you call them so people can fill their own bottle. Selling bottled water may go down in history as one of the worst innovations.

Great idea blues!

 

[OHLFan90]

Eric Guest has signed with the Caledonia Corvairs of the GOJHL.