The Estevan Bruins and other teams in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League will be limited to 150 spectators per night once the 2020-21 regular season begins Friday night.
In a message sent out to supporters, the Bruins said the current attendance cap was mandated by the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the Ministry of Health, which advised the SJHL that the cap will be reviewed again prior to the start of Week 2 of the regular season.
“We are disappointed that the SJHL’s proposal to begin the season at a higher cap, subject to observing social distancing and other health and safety protocols, was not approved. That would have enabled us to accommodate all of our season ticket holders, which stand at about 600. This had been the communication to our teams until November 1st, and now each team will be adjusting to the new attendance cap.”
The 150 spectators would be equivalent to about six per cent capacity at Affinity Place.
The Bruins will now have to completely re-evaluate their plan for season ticket holders this season. They ask for patience while they figure this out.
“Please understand that our goal is to make sure you get what you paid for.”
The Bruins also thanked their corporate sponsors for putting their financial support behind the Bruins, as it has sustained their operations for the last two months and will allow the club to begin the regular season.
“We ask that you continue to trust our business office with your sponsorship, as we will do whatever we can to make sure your company is getting the value you deserve for supporting our club through these ever-changing times.”
For those not currently involved as sponsors, the Bruins still have marketing opportunities available and will be relying on more support from the corporate community to keep the organization viable for this season and beyond.
The Bruins ask for patience as they navigate through the changes.
Teams in the SJHL played with a 150-spectator cap during the preseason.
The Bruins open their regular season Friday night at the Melville Millionaires, and then host Melville Saturday night.
The Mercury will have more details as they become available.
