Overflow crowd for Halifax Wanderers game generates buzz for more big events
A huge crowd for Wednesday night’s HFX Wanderers FC soccer game might be a hint at the future of how large events operate.
"6,413 in here last night," said Derek Martin, HFX Wanderers FC founder and president.
The atmosphere was electric as Halifax hosted CF Montreal in the quarterfinal of Canadian Championship.
An excited crowd and festival-style celebration showed the long awaited enthusiasm of sports fans to return to live games after a tough 18 months.
The game also featured strict public health protocols.
"We implemented the double vaccination rule for entry," said Martin.
Martin hopes Wednesday night’s game will serve as a springboard to help people feel confident again about hosting and attending big events.
"Certainly is a lot of work that goes into it. There are a lot of costs that go into it,” said Martin. “And certainly it is important for the public at large to feel some sense of normalcy back."
Not just fans watched at this game closely – those in the events industry were also keeping a close eye on the operations at the Wanderers Grounds.
"It gets us excited,” says Erin Esiyok-Prime, Marketing and Communications Director for Events East.
An overflow crowd for a soccer game is likely the opening chapter to help boost momentum for more big events.
The Halifax Mooseheads will soon allow full capacity crowds at the Scotiabank Centre.
"We will require proof of vaccination," said Esiyok-Prime, who added busy times for the Halifax Convention Centre are fast approaching.
"We have 50 events booked this fall already. When you look at 2022 and beyond, we see national and international events which means tourism."
It all adds up to good news, but caution is still a must when attending or planning large events says infectious disease specialist Dr. Lisa Barrett.
As more events like this are held in the future, Barrett hopes society does not ease up on public health measures.
"We are nice and steady state at this point,” said Barrett. ‘We are fluxing upward and that means we may need some temperance when it comes to how quickly we move forward."
Barrett said measures like masking, testing and knowing how much virus is in the community remain crucial.
While the Wanderers lost Wednesday’s game 3-1 to CF Montreal, many fans were all smiles leaving the Wanderers Grounds.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.