Rogers Arena, home of the Vancouver Canucks, is set to debut a notable feature this week, as The SportsBar will open to the public.
The SportsBar has been a fairly anticipated project. In recent years, construction has been taking place around Rogers Arena to complete the Aquilini Centre West, one of three mixed-use towers that is being developed outside the venue. The tower itself is 26 stories, with The SportsBar located on the fourth floor, allowing for a unique perspective on the action.
Rather than standing alone from the venue, The SportsBar has been built into Rogers Arena. This will allow patrons a direct perspective on the ice, adding to the experience at the year-round, full-service venue. Perhaps its most unique feature, however, is that The SportsBar will be open to both ticket and non-ticket holders. More from the Vancouver Sun:
Jim Johnston is development manager for Aquilini Developments and Construction, which includes hospitality projects at Rogers Arena and the facility’s new private Encore Club.
“I absolutely think there are no world-class, sports-event viewing destination venues in the city,” said Johnston. “This will be the first of its kind and I think it’s truly needed. There’s nowhere where you can go to experience and live event and also eat and drink the space, without having to pay for a hockey ticket.
“I think it’s going to be very well received. For the average person, the one hangup of coming to a game is the (ticket) cost. This will get you as close to the action without paying.”
The opening of The SportsBar is set for Friday, December 16, the night that the Canucks host the Tampa Bay Lightning.
