The Prince Albert Raiders had no problems with the new vaccination requirements at the home opener on Oct. 1. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Raiders Vaccine Requirement

Vaccine, test requirements don’t keep fans away from Raiders home opener

Oct 5, 2021 | 8:00 AM

It was the first Prince Albert Raiders regular season home game in 574 days, and by hook or by crook, Raiders fans weren’t going to miss it.

Whether it meant showing proof of vaccination or a negative test, over 2,500 fans packed the Art Hauser Centre on Friday, Oct. 1 to watch their team play the Regina Pats.

Although it was the first time the Raiders had ever had to deal with so much screening to get fans into the seats, they were pleased with how the evening went off the ice.

“Knowing that things will get better and easier as more people understand the process and as our people get better at streamlining it,” said business manager Michael Scissons, “I thought it went fairly smooth.”

Though the on-ice result wasn’t what the Raiders wanted (a 3–1 loss to their Regina rivals), the off ice atmosphere was solid, as fans didn’t seem to be deterred by the masking or vaccination requirements. As for actually getting fans screened and into the building, the Raiders didn’t seem to have any troubles on that front either.

Politics

Liberal leadership race crystallizes as candidates make opening pitches

6h ago

Middle east conflict

Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to begin Sunday

9h ago

BODY-WORN CAMERAS

RCMP body cameras aim to build trust, but expert says can be "problematic"

Jan 17, 2025

“There didn’t seem to be a whole lot of hiccups at the door,” said Scissons. “People were generally understanding and expecting to be able to do it, which at the end of the day is great. It went smoothly and I think going forward, we’ll get even a little bit better at it.”

Opening night for the Raiders fell on opening day of proof of vaccination requirements in the province. While gyms and restaurants were also among the businesses to have to get used to new rules that day, it’s safe to say none of them had quite as many patrons in that short span of time as the Raiders had.

“Overall, I think it didn’t come as a surprise,” Scissons said. “Everyone had a couple of weeks’ notice that Oct. 1 was going to be the date. It wasn’t just at Raider games. At restaurants around the city and at gyms and liquor stores, the same sort of rules applied and people were aware, for the most part, that these requirements were in place.”

Scissons also said they had a testing company on-site that would conduct COVID tests for a fee to allow people into the game. They told him about 50 people took advantage and used a negative test to get into the game instead of proof of full vaccination.

The next home game for the Raiders is Friday, Oct. 15.

—-

rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP