Riverside Arena makes its debut
Published 8:07 am Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Visitors to Riverside Arena Tuesday evening for the unveiling of the renovations for the Austin Bruins hockey team eat in the Bear's Den special seating area. --Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Riverside Arena has been revamped, complete with a new jumbotron, light and laser show, locker rooms and, of course, the new Junior A hockey team.
“It’s a cool place to hang out,” said Craig Patrick, Austin Bruins owner. “It’s going to be fun!”
The Bruins celebrated their improved arena with a ribbon cutting and open house on Tuesday evening. The event included refreshments in the newly added suite, a preview of the lights and laser show and the presentation of the Bruins in their home arena.
Austin Bruins owner Craig Patrick makes to cut the ribbon during an open house for the renovations of Riverside Arena Tuesday evening. The public got its first look at some of the changes made to the arena in preparation for the first year of the Bruins hockey team in Austin. --Eric Johnson
The renovations to Riverside were recently completed, and the Bruins will soon be taking to the ice for their first home game Oct. 2. Patrick is excited for the first home game and said he hopes people will come to the games and see all of the changes that have been made.
“The more people that come, the more fun it will be,” Patrick said.
John Kirby, 19-year-old Bruins player, said he thinks the improvements made to the arena will benefit everyone involved.
“I think it’s awesome,” he said. “They made it into a respectable arena, and the light show will be amazing.”
According to Patrick, the locker rooms were built brand new, the athletic training room was remodeled, offices were added and a jumbotron and new lights and lasers were installed. The team is responsible for most of the renovations, excluding the remodeled training room and the locker rooms, which were covered by the city.
“We really appreciate everything the city has done,” Patrick said.
Patrick also said one of the biggest changes to the arena is the addition of “Bruiser’s Den,” which is a suite available for all home games. The suite can be used for company parties or large groups of people; when it is not in use by a group, individuals can pay extra to sit there. The price is all-inclusive, with snacks and drinks available.
Council member Dick Pacholl of Ward 2 said he is hoping that the new team and improvements to the arena will draw in more fans.
“I hope now the city will support this team,” Pacholl said. “There seems like a lot of interest.”
Kirby said he hopes that kids will see the team and arena as a future opportunity and that it will spark more local interest in hockey.
“I think just having the team here alone will bring in more fans,” Kirby said.
Patrick said the ticket office will open next week with its regular hours of 12-5 p.m. daily.
