Oilers Entertainment Group (OEG), parent company of NHL ice hockey team the Edmonton Oilers and its Rogers Place arena, has joined forces with Compass Group Canada and Levy to launch a new hospitality offering.
Scheduled to commence operations from the 2021-22 NHL season, ICE District Hospitality is a part of OEG’s long-term vision for its food and beverage (F&B) business. It will tap into Compass Group Canada’s operational expertise, as Canada’s leading foodservice company, and also utilise Levy, a sports and entertainment provider within the Compass Group portfolio.
Levy will specifically support ICE District Hospitality through its experience in delivering world-class hospitality at major sports and entertainment venues and iconic events. The formation of ICE District Hospitality comes with Aramark having led Rogers Place’s F&B program since the arena opened in September 2016.
“ICE District Hospitality will build upon a strong foundation to elevate the food and beverage offering for our guests, while creating an integrated hospitality experience across ICE District,” said OEG business president and chief operating officer, Tom Anselmi.
“We are delighted to work with Compass Group Canada and Levy to bring their experience and creativity to ICE District. We will create a signature experience for guests to ICE District and it starts with fresh, diverse and inspired food and beverage choices, delivered with exceptional service.”
ICE District Hospitality will be responsible for the Rogers Place F&B program, including general concessions, suites and club level dining, restaurants and catering. ICE District Hospitality will also work within a broader, integrated F&B program for ICE District, working with its sister company, Oliver & Bonacini, to build off the success of its initial offerings – Braven, Kindred and Alchemy.
OEG said the core of ICE District Hospitality will be a focus on “elevated hospitality” embracing the very best ingredients from local farmers and purveyors, teamed with the “dynamic and diverse” Edmonton culinary landscape. The company is also committed to hiring local hospitality industry talent to help deliver the experience.
“OEG has created an entertainment destination in ICE District that is on par with any you’ll find around the world,” said Andy Lansing, president and CEO of Levy. “We’re honoured to join OEG in fulfilling the vision of the District. From delivering the experiences that Oilers fans enjoy most to creating new, signature hospitality experiences throughout the district. Through it all, we’ll continue to work with the community and Edmonton’s incredible hospitality talent.”
The ICE District Hospitality announcement comes after it emerged earlier this week that the Oilers are seeking to become the first Canadian major league sports franchise to return fans to their arena during COVID-19.
OEG has submitted a 50-page reopening document to Alberta Health Services in an effort to bring fans back to Rogers Place. OEG is targeting an initial reopening of Rogers Place at 15% capacity. The arena’s full capacity is just over 18,000.
Image: Alexscuccato/CC BY-SA 4.0/Edited for size
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