Why is the Ovintiv Events Centre implementing a No Re-Entry & No Smoking Policy?

We are catching up to the industry standard that prohibits re-entry and smoking. All Canadian NHL venues have adopted the policy, and many other sports and events centres are following suit including CN Centre in Prince George and Save on Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria. Additionally, the City of Dawson Creek will be updating their bylaw that prohibits smoking including cannabis less than 7.5 metres away from public entrances, windows and air intakes.  This will no longer allow the Encana Events Centre to use the smoking areas that were in place.

When does the No Re-Entry & No Smoking Policy take effect?

No Re-Entry & No Smoking will take effect on September 1, 2018. To remain consistent for our guests, the policy will be in place for all events at the Ovintiv Events Centre.

What are the benefits to having a No Re-Entry & No Smoking Policy?

It allows us to better ensure that our fans, guests, tours and artists who come to the Ovintiv Events Centre are safe. Eliminating smoking ensures that there are no security risks associated with people entering the venue who have not been searched by security. In addition, We get numerous complaints about the cold air, bright light and the smoke coming into the building from the smoking patios, so this policy will help reduce those complaints and ensure for a more enjoyable experience for our guests.

Are there any exceptions so patrons can exit and re-enter?

Our goal is to provide the best customer service as possible so there are exceptions to the policy. If you need to retrieve something from your vehicle or need to exit the venue and re-enter, please contact one of our staff members before exiting, and we’ll be happy to help.

Who will this new policy affect?

We estimate that about 15% of guests at an event smoke so that leaves a large portion of our guests unaffected. Guests who smoke are asked to do so before entering the venue, and then go without for the duration of the event.

Are there any other changes at the Ovintiv Events Centre?

We are continually striving to ensure the safety and security of our guests, so we have updated our prohibited items list. Prohibited items must be returned to a vehicle or disposed of as the Ovintiv Events Centre will not check them. Along with our existing prohibited items, the following items are now prohibited at the Ovintiv Events Centre:

E-Cigarettes, Chewing Tobacco & Cigarettes
Cannabis
iPads and all tablets
Oversized bags/purses larger than 14” x 14” x 6” 

The full list of prohibited items can be found at https://www.dawsoncreekeventscentre.com/arena-info/a-z