Kal Tire Place (file photo/Vernon Vipers)

By Pete McIntyre

Update

‘Logistical nightmare’: Vipers announce ticket plan for relocated games

Mar 12, 2024 | 4:45 PM

UPDATE

Season ticket holders of the Vernon Vipers will get the first dibs on the limited number of tickets available for the team’s two home games this weekend.

In an update posted on social media, the BCHL team said they were “trying to determine the number of season ticket holders who will be attending these games as they’ll be given priority admission.”

The team is asking its season ticket holders and fans who have already purchased single game tickets to contact their office at 250-542-6022 to arrange a voucher for admission.

Due to ice chiller repairs at the 3,000-seat Kal Tire Place, the Vipers will use Kal Tire Place North, which only has seating for 400 people, to host the Nanaimo Clippers Saturday at 6 p.m. and the Alberni Valley Bulldogs Sunday at 7 p.m.

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The team went on to say, on game days, admission will be rush seating. Season ticket holders will be allowed in first (5 p.m. on Saturday and 6:30 p.m. on Sunday). Other ticket holders will then be allowed to find a remaining seat or standing room spot.

“We ask that fans allow wheelchairs to use the marked positions in the arena. We will also have a full concessions plus beer and wine sales,” the team posting said.

The team called the situation “a logistical nightmare” in trying to find the best way to accomodate as many fans as possible.

“This is far from ideal and is extremely frustrating for everyone. We are hopeful that we can make the best of a terrible situation,” the team stated.

The Vipers said they did look into using other arenas in nearby BCHL rinks but due to scheduling and available ice times, it was not feasible.

The team is working to have its FloHockey broadcasts in place, and at the ability to show the game in Kal Tire Place on the big screen.

Attendance is up substanially this season at Vipers home games, including several games with sell outs over three-thousand fans.

Vipers games moved to Kal Tire Place North due to repairs
March 12, 2024

Repairs to their normal home have forced the Vernon Vipers to find a new lair to play two upcoming games.

The BC Hockey League team announced Tuesday, they have shifted their games against two Coastal Conference teams this weekend from the 3,000-seat Kal Tire Place South, to Kal Tire Place North, which has seating for just 400 spectators.

Vipers statement:
The Vernon Vipers regret to inform, due to an ice chiller issue at Kal Tire Place South, the following changes have been made to this weekend’s set of games against Alberni Valley and Nanaimo:

Friday night’s game will now be scheduled for Sunday night at 7 p.m. against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs and be played at Kal Tire Place North.

Saturday night’s game will still be played at 6 p.m. against Nanaimo, but will see that game also played at Kal Tire Place North.

“We are obviously disappointed in the situation we find ourselves in,” Todd Miller, Vipers executive vice-president, said. “However, we do understand and appreciate this affects many other groups as well. We are working hard with everyone involved to help find a solution.”

Kal Tire Place North (Vernon Matters photo)

The Vipers will be releasing information regarding ticket sales for the two games in the coming days.

An ice chiller failed at Kal Tire Place on Saturday, forcing the City of Vernon to close the facility to ice users while repairs are made. The ice surface will also have to be installed again which takes another five days, so the city has said it will likely be Wednesday, March 20 when ice activity can resume at the facility.