There will be rolling closures during the 2023-24 regular season as the club focuses on enhancing the in-arena experience.
Scotiabank Arena will have a different feel as Phase 2 of a $350 million renovation is now fully underway
Newly installed Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment CEO Keith Pelley was on hand to officially put the sledgehammer into the wall on Thursday, signaling the next step to enhance the in-arena experience for all venue tenants, including the Toronto Maple Leafs.
"When you think about why people are coming to sporting events now and why people are coming to events now it has certainly changed after Covid," Pelley said. "Coming together and galvanizing as large groups is more critical than it might have been even five years ago."
Walking by Gate 1 on Tuesday, the area was already blocked off for construction
Gate 1 construction at Scotiabank ArenaA summary of the work that will be done between now and October includes
- A complete renovation of the first section of the 100 Level concourse with transformative design and functional elements. Modelled to be dynamic, contemporary and fan-friendly, the arena’s redesigned main concourse will include upgraded finishes, additional LG LED screens, digital beacons and hubs that can change to align with the atmosphere of the event being hosted on a particular night.
- The addition of a second Real Sports Apparel retail store on the 100 Level concourse for a 2,600 square-foot fan shopping experience. The larger store offers increased access to official team and event merchandise while integrating a new contactless RFID (Radio-frequency Identification Technology) check-out experience. The existing store by Gate 1 will also be renovated to match the new design of this location.
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- Conversion of apparel kiosks on the 100 Level into mini walk-in shops equipped with rotating walls and digital signage for an enhanced shopping experience. Two new autograph memorabilia glass showcases will also accompany these shops, replacing ad hoc memorabilia auction locations.
- Additions to the ongoing museum-like art collection curated in collaboration with Sports & The Arts (SATA) featuring new, innovative pieces throughout the 100 Level that reflect the nuanced history, culture and atmosphere of Scotiabank Arena. Artists were selected from an open call welcoming contributors of all levels and experience and from all backgrounds and cultures.
- The remodeling and addition of more inclusive and accessible spaces onto the 100 Level concourse including an infant feeding room, prayer room, all gendered bathrooms and more.
- The introduction of the all-new MNP Pass Social Club on Event Level. Members of the club will be embedded into the action of the game as they get an exclusive, arms-length view of players making their way to the ice or court from their locker room and have access to corresponding platinum seats. MNP Pass Social Club will be the newest premium destination in Scotiabank Arena where members enjoy modern luxury through high-end, immersive design features and an upscale casual dining experience. Fans interested in becoming a member can visit scotiabankarena.com/MNPPassSocialClub.
"The unique part of that space is that the Maple Leafs and Visiting NHL team travel through today, they travel through that space and when it's converted into a club they'll travel through that space from their dressing rooms out onto the ice," said MLSE Chief Venues & Operations Officer Nick Eaves said. "So members of the club and their guests will sort of be in the middle of that immersive experience and that's a really neat feature in terms of that space. So that's one that we're already out in market selling and we're having great success in terms of getting existing fans and members and new fans and members really interested in that product and that space.
That will create stunning new visuals of players walking out onto the ice, similar to what you see at some of the newer venues.
New walkway for players for upcoming season- The reinvigoration of the famed Hot Stove restaurant on the 200 Level with a new dedicated entrance from outside of the arena by Gate 1 of the Galleria. A staple from Maple Leaf Gardens in 1963 and reestablished at Scotiabank Arena in 2012, the premium steakhouse will undergo a thoughtful design makeover to blend its historic charm with contemporary finishes and cuisines. Hot Stove restaurant is open to all ticket holders for any event, now inclusive of concerts.
- The implementation of secure, frictionless security screening at entry to help fans get into the venue as quickly as possible.
- Digital signage upgrade within the renovated spaces using LG's expansive suite of display and LED technology to support with fan communications and wayfinding.
Patrons attending events at Scotiabank Arena will be given a guide of what's open and closed as they attend events over the summer. That will continue into October, when fans will be emailed a guide along with tickets as to how to navigate around certain closures in the building.
There are a few scattered events this summer that will be right in the middle of construction
"We're encouraging fans to read their 'Know Before You Go' email and find out which gates are open or closed and we're not going to be able to have all of the concession stands and all of the washroom capacity available. So we're working around that, obviously making all of those amenities available in different ways but it's going to be different and I think we're hoping that live music fans are going to be a little bit patient when they're coming to see their favorite artists. But it's going to be fantastic but it is going to be a little bit different for sure," Eaves said.
During the hockey season, the South, East and North ends of the 100-level concourse will see parts of it closed for two-month segments at a time and fans will have to consult those guides as well. But MLSE insists it'll be worth it in the end to bring the 25-year-old building up to the experience seen by newer venues across North America.
During the hockey season, Phase 2 construction will continue to include:
- Completion of the 100 Level concourse transformation, consistent with the dynamic designs and digital upgrades being made to the first portion of the space this summer.
- Continued expansion of self check-out and mobile ordering capabilities alongside traditional counter service for food and beverage as well as merchandise to give fans more choices, flexibility and reduce line ups inside the arena.
- An arena-wide audio-visual system and WIFI enhancement to ensure fans continue to see and hear the best in-game presentation and better connect to our team apps to access new, innovative mixed reality and augmented reality capabilities that amplify the in-seat experience.
- Design makeover of the Molson Brewhouse on the 100 Level concourse, spotlighting the original façade of the Toronto Postal Delivery Building and seamlessly integrating the historic windows as the backdrop of the fan-favourite bar.
- Upgrades to the open-concept broadcast studio located at Gate 6 on the 100 Level concourse. The design improvement, both aesthetic and technology-based, will serve to enhance the pre-game viewing experience for fans watching in bowl, live in the concourse or at home.
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