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Lions looking at tailgate parties this season?

Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 12:46 pm
by David
The Lions just sent out a season ticket holder survey that asked how I get to games. They seemed to want to know if I was interested in some form of a tailgate experience (presumably ripping a page from the Argos book from last season?).

One of the questions was:

If there was a pre-game tailgate experience in a parking lot adjacent to BC Place, where you could bring your own picnic-style food, set up lawn chairs and enjoy pre-game beverages (provided by a licensed 3rd party) up to 2 hours before the game, would you be interested in purchasing a parking pass for your vehicle at this event?

I view this as a positive development. Skulsky has opposed tailgating in the past, opting instead for a beer garden set-up near Terry Fox Plaza. The only way this can work however, is if they allow grilling on the site and beer is part of the "pre-game beverages." I believe that would be part of their plan, but they weren't specific. The big question is "where?" Can they strike a deal with Concord Pacific for the empty Expo lands?


DH :cool:

Re: Lions looking at tailgate parties this season?

Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 9:40 pm
by B.C.FAN
I just filled out the same survey. I'm not a tailgater. My usual routine is to get into B.C. Place when the doors open, grab a couple of stadium hot dogs and watch the team warmups. That's not likely to change but others in my crew are more interested in tailgating. And since I plan to give up my reserved downtown parking spot this spring due to my employer's relocation, I'm interested in buying a season parking pass if the chosen lot is close enough to the stadium. I'm not interested in walking from the unofficial tailgating lot at Terminal and Quebec.

Re: Lions looking at tailgate parties this season?

Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2017 12:12 am
by TheLionKing
In a continued effort to constantly seek fun and unique ways to improve the value of your game experience, we are entertaining some new opportunities for the upcoming season. There are still many steps that need to be taken in order to bring some of these great ideas to life, but by taking a quick moment to complete this short survey, it will help shape the best possible BC Lions experience for you!
Interesting that they mentioned "new opportunities" in the email but only refers to tailgating in the survey

Re: Lions looking at tailgate parties this season?

Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2017 10:32 pm
by Dusty
I've been out of town so am catching up and got to this email. I've just sent in the survey noting that although I take the bus to the games, I would easily change my bus route to wander about a tailgate zone if it was close by the stadium.

Re: Lions looking at tailgate parties this season?

Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 1:16 am
by D
David wrote:The Lions just sent out a season ticket holder survey that asked how I get to games. They seemed to want to know if I was interested in some form of a tailgate experience (presumably ripping a page from the Argos book from last season?).

One of the questions was:

If there was a pre-game tailgate experience in a parking lot adjacent to BC Place, where you could bring your own picnic-style food, set up lawn chairs and enjoy pre-game beverages (provided by a licensed 3rd party) up to 2 hours before the game, would you be interested in purchasing a parking pass for your vehicle at this event?

I view this as a positive development. Skulsky has opposed tailgating in the past, opting instead for a beer garden set-up near Terry Fox Plaza. The only way this can work however, is if they allow grilling on the site and beer is part of the "pre-game beverages." I believe that would be part of their plan, but they weren't specific. The big question is "where?" Can they strike a deal with Concord Pacific for the empty Expo lands?


DH :cool:
I suppose it is a step in the right direction, but it's only a baby step and likely the only step. Bringing sandwiches and buying overpriced beer is NOT tailgating. Can't say I blame them for trying to monetize the pre game experience but let's call it what it is ... whatever that is *lol

Re: Lions looking at tailgate parties this season?

Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 8:11 am
by JohnHenry
The Argos tailgating last year was an unqualified success by all accounts. They apparently sold $4 TallBoys at the tailgate and adjacent "Shipyard" pregame parties (and seemed to salt the pregame crowds with groups of attractive young ladies :wink: ).

Re: Lions looking at tailgate parties this season?

Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 10:32 am
by David
D wrote:I suppose it is a step in the right direction, but it's only a baby step and likely the only step. Bringing sandwiches and buying overpriced beer is NOT tailgating. Can't say I blame them for trying to monetize the pre game experience but let's call it what it is ... whatever that is *lol
I agree 100%, D. While I much prefer the 'bring a cooler from home' option within a sanctioned tailgate area like they manage it in Calgary, if they HAD to sell their own beer like the Toronto model, it has to be reasonably priced cold beer. This should not be strictly viewed as a for-profit venture by the club. Rather, a way of attracting more fans to games by improving the game day experience and making it an "event." Period.

The outlier as you say is being allowed to grill. Otherwise, it's just a picnic on a parking lot and they might as well save their time and effort (and us the embarrassment). That is not tailgating!


DH :cool: