Red Lot tickets sell out quickly, safety measures in place for Game 1 celebrations
CBC
Tickets for the Red Lot viewing party outside the Scotiabank Saddledome sold out quickly for Wednesday night's game as the Calgary Flames enter Round 2 of the NHL playoffs against the Edmonton Oilers.
The Red Lot will open at 5:30 p.m., two hours before the scheduled puck drop.
The city is introducing measures to ensure safety for fans during tonight's celebrations, according to a news release. Extra police and peace officers will be present on 17th Avenue S.W.
Traffic will be blocked from 17th Avenue S.W. between Fourth and Fifth streets for about 30 minutes starting at 6 p.m. for the Calgary Stampede Showband performance.
Nearby roads may also be closed after home games so fans can safely leave the Saddledome and Red Lot.
"We encourage all Calgarians to stay off the road in order to stay safe and allow traffic to move," the release said.
Calgarians should expect detours and traffic delays and plan extra time for travel before and after the game.
Parking bans in certain areas will be in effect during all playoff games. The bans will affect 17th Avenue S.W. between Macleod Trail and Ninth Street S.W. starting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, and 11th Avenue S.E. from First Street to Fifth Street.
"Calgarians are excited about our home team being in the playoffs, and we're ready for another round of exciting hockey in the Battle of Alberta," said Mayor Jyoti Gondek in the release.
"Hockey fans, businesses and Flames players have waited a long time for this kind of electric feeling to be in the air again."
On home game nights, the city will continue to add extra transit service. The city reminded Calgarians in its news release that face covering is still required on transit as per provincial guidelines.
Tickets for the Red Lot are free, but since Sunday's game between the Flames and Dallas Stars, fans have been required to book their spot at the viewing party in advance.
The decision to switch the Red Lot to a ticketed event was made in order to decrease lines and wait times, and ensure the safety of those at the viewing party, according to a Tuesday release from the Flames.
"We understand that demand for Red Lot tickets will very likely outweigh supply, and would like to reiterate our tremendous gratitude for the extraordinary support of the C of Red," the release said.