MOOSE JAW — The Moose Jaw Events Centre has spotty wireless internet connectivity in some areas of the concourse, so it plans to install several devices to speed up entry and enhance food and beverage sales.
During its Aug. 26 regular meeting, city council unanimously approved the Multiplex’s request to purchase and install additional Wi-Fi access points for the arena concourse, with funding to come from the venue’s major equipment control account.
The six extra wireless network access points will cost $9,200. The Events Centre expects to complete installation before the Moose Jaw Warriors’ home opener on Saturday, Sept. 21.
The Events Centre conducted a review of all Wi-Fi access points in 2022 after it brought the services of ticketing and food and beverage in-house and added more concessions, a council report said. That review resulted in the venue installing extra wireless internet points based on the need at that time.
During the Warriors’ 2024 playoff run, Ryan Nelson, the City of Moose Jaw’s information services manager, attended several games to gather analytics and data about the existing Wi-Fi’s strength and connectivity, the report continued.
Using this information, Nelson determined that there were several new locations where internet access points could be installed to support connectivity requirements.
“Over the course of the past two years, the concession footprint in the arena has changed, and with it, the needs and locations for Wi-Fi connectivity,” said the report.
“During the ingress to the building and making purchases at certain concessions in the arena concourse, devices for scanning tickets and processing concession transaction can lose connectivity, which can cause delays in patrons efficiently entering the building and purchasing within (the) arena.”
The report added that the six new Wi-Fi access points would help devices maintain connectivity, which would elevate customers’ experience as they entered the building and purchased items from concession stands.
Shaunna Fritzler, the Events Centre’s general manager, told council that there would be no additional annual costs for this equipment once it was installed. Meanwhile, the point-of-sale debit/credit machines will remain at concession stands, but the new Wi-Fi devices will be added to beverage-serving areas since the internet in those places is slow and drops off, forcing staff to wait to complete sales.
“I think that anything that ensures good service at our arena in terms of entry and concessions is something we need to do,” said Mayor Clive Tolley.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Sept. 9.
