The Bon Secours Wellness Arena is preparing for a new season and new chapter in the live event experience: one that must make changes for COVID-19.
Beth Paul, General Manager of Bon Secours Wellness Arena, said they have made significant investments into the building to move towards a touchless, contactless environment. Walk-through weapons detection systems have been implemented, as well as ticket scanning pedestals. One of the biggest changes is the no bag policy.
"It is going to be a pretty big shift for some of our guests, but at the end of the day, it keeps everybody really safe and prevents us from having to do a lot of contact with searching bags," Paul said.
Paul noted that necessary medical equipment will be allowed.
To further the contactless environment, but the majority of transactions will be geared for contactless payment, like Apple Pay, although cash will still be accepted in cash only lines.
Air quality has also been revamped.
"We made changes to the air filtration and HVAC systems, using an ionization technology," Paul said. "We're using the best tech possible to increase fresh air circulation in and out of the building."
As for seating, Paul said they are implementing a "pod" system. Tickets will be sold in groups to keep the proverbial pods of people together. Additionally, pods of people will be kept four seats apart and the seating chart will skip every other row.
"From a business perspective, it cuts down greatly on capacity, bringing the typically 15,000 seat arena to about 4,000 usable seats," Paul said.
However, Paul says they are glad to make the necessary changes and maintain community safety.
"If we can't execute or keep a safe environment, we won't be able to remain open," Paul said.
There will be about half of the normal number of events and shows in the upcoming year, although they currently plan to have a full 36 game season for the Swamp Rabbits.
Many of the shows are family shows and events; Paul suspects live music will be the last to make a full comeback, as the numbers need to be high to get the mass behind a single-night show.
More information about upcoming shows is available on their website.