Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre — Attraction in Electoral Area A

Okay. I frequent this place often for their open figure skate time, and I’ve always loved it. The Protrans rink is good ice and it’s not too crowded. I will continue to go here despite the few complaints I do have.

I’m not a student and having to pay $12 for parking and $6 for admission EVERY time I come (in the summer it’s 5x a week) is really doing damage. A punch card or frequent flyer points or something other than drop in admission would be greatly appreciated. I know parking is up to different campus people but it’s a bit ridiculous that there’s no free or discounted parking for a sports venue that many people come to daily for the gym, ice, etc

On a Friday night there was only one staff available to help over 80 people pay, rent skates, and answer any questions. A friend and I waited for 15 minutes of a 1 hour open skate block and moved two places forward. The poor staff guy was overwhelmed! Payments were quick and easy but getting and exchanging skates for people was killing any momentum. We walked away.

I’ve also been to public skates where there is either no staff on or near the ice in case of incident (unsure of policy here, but have previously been under impression that there should be ice staff in addition to office staff on the clock for public skate) and also had staff on the ice that NEVER put his phone down. I’m talking head down, skates on, doing lazy circles while texting on ice for TWO HOURS. Ridiculous. I get it, it’s boring, but it’s such a small fraction of their time and he was so preoccupied and became a hazard to everyone on the ice. Multiple people narrowly managed to avoid him. Imagine a ref with a book in his hands during a game!? Pretty sure there’s gotta be a rule for phones on ice.

As said, I’ll keep going as the ice quality, figure only time blocks, and well maintained facility make it a great place. The major issue errs more on the...

Honestly I wanted to make this one star but my night ended up turning around and I enjoyed the show thanks to a lovely employee.

Firstly, blackbird think they’re police officers. You are NOT. They’re overzealous, overbearing and annoying. I understand security is needed but I watched one guy get surrounded by 9 security for whatever reason. He did not look aggressive and was much smaller than all of the security.

Secondly, if you’re plus sized or tall, don’t buy tickets for an event here. Just don’t do that to yourself. You will be extremely uncomfortable and the medal seat arms do not lift up. I called twice both when I bought my tickets and the day before with accessibility concerns and was reassured both times that there wouldn’t be any issues but today I have bruising from the seats.

Lastly, I had to wait a long time along side a person in a wheel chair for elevator access. The paramedics on standby had to go find someone to let us in and even then we had to walk around a maze to get to an elevator that works.

It’s sad to see in 2024 we still can’t get accessibility right and organized. It’s really not that complicated but yet those with accessibility needs are put last. I wanted to see another artist performing here but will...

Flew to Vancouver for Babymetal, landed 45 min before doors, cabbed there and sold my extra ticket, easy and separate floor access, very nice size concert venue. Floor was wet and slippery from ice under it/humidity, heat I am guessing. Not ideal for moshing... Yet did not seem to be a huge pain, was alright.

Sound, ah well it wasn't great but was not as head splittingly loud as the two previous shows I had attended at smaller venues, the bigger space helped and hindered maybe. Those smaller venues did have clearer/cleaner sound but this was acceptable.

The bands were five star, energy, moshing, stage set up. Always better with 20 foot flames.

Staff were friendly and all seemed to know their jobs, fans were the usual friendly metal crowd.

Five star show but sound could be better, sometimes it is the band's sound guys, not enough time to fine tune things to different venues... Lots of reasons but the venue should have a sound guy and put money into improving sound if it is a music venue as well as sports.

And the slippery floor, maybe there was nothing that could be done. Maybe a large carpet for the mosh area? Tacked around the edges?

Maybe I ask too much. I will definitely return for the right shows that don't...