EXCUSE ME, YOU APPEAR TO HAVE A PUCK STUCK IN YOUR TEETH
Written: Apr 07 '00
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Pros: Apparently no bad seats, extra ladies' rooms, hand rails on all stairways
Cons: Unpaved parking, expensive food, not particularly fresh
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| coolest-thng's Full Review: First Union Center |
*NOTE This review relates my experience at the newly opened First Union Center at Casey Plaza, in Wilkes-Barre, PA, not the one in Philadelphia. Sorry if I placed it in an inconvenient spot. Considering the size of this place, the arena will have crumbled to dust before anybody thinks to give it a home.
Last week, we had the opportunity to attend one of the last games of the season for the Wilkes-Barre Penguins hockey team. It was a home game, and was held at the brand new First Union Center at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. We gladly accepted the complimentary tickets, and I figured it would give me a fine opportunity to check out the new arena and review it here.
A LITTLE BACKGROUND MUSIC, PLEASE
First, a bit of background on this new addition to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area: This arena project was completed last year at a cost of about a gazillion dollars. The local taxpayers were asked to cast their ballot on whether or not we needed/wanted a new arena for the area—after all, we have Montage (an outdoor concert arena) and the F.M. Kirby Center (and indoor concert venue). Well, the taxpayers voted the measure down—but the all omniscient local government decided to override the desires of the population at large, and built it anyway.
There is still a faction boycotting the arena, but I’m not complaining—my tickets were free this time.
THE MUCK
Along with the initiative to build the arena, a plan was put into effect to add an off-ramp to Interstate 81 to facilitate event goers and alleviate the traffic problems that have dogged the Montage/Red Barons Stadium since it was built. The off-ramp is marked, the arena is visible from the highway, and traffic flows smoothly into and out of the parking area.
In spite of the gazillion dollars spent on building this concrete behemoth, apparently none was spent in the parking area. Actually, the parking area is quite large, and fairly level, but remains unpaved. It appears to be oiled dirt and shale. If you are attending a dressier function here than a sporting event, I would suggest you take a taxi or a limo, and be dropped off at the entrance. I have a feeling that with just the right amount of wet weather, that parking lot will be a quagmire. And high heels are definitely out of the question.
Parking for a regular size vehicle is $4. Parking for V.I.P.’s and limos is $8. Although somewhat rocky and rough, the parking area IS well lit (for a parking area) and very well marked—we were able to come out of the gate and go directly to our car, which was quite far out as it was a sold-out event. Much better than spending 45 minutes looking for our car at Montage, which is an unmarked in any way terraced field.
THE LUCK
We were ushered into the packed stadium, and began looking for our seating area. The stadium is typical—oval in shape, and constructed of concrete and glass, with a seating capacity of 10,000. The event stage can be changed to suit whatever is taking place at the time—a typical hockey rink for this one. There is a section of removable bleacher type seats at one end of the oval to accommodate shows which require a backstage area; concerts, WCW wrestling events, and so forth.
It didn’t take us long to find our area—large signs and arrows point the way to the various seat sections. We were pleased and surprised to find our seats were on the lower level, about halfway up from the rink, and at one end. I must say, the builders’ boast that there’s not a bad seat in the house seems to be true—I couldn’t envision anywhere in the arena to be a “bad” seat.
The other little item that really pleased me was the addition of hand rails up and down the very steep steps. The first time I went to a baseball game here at the Red Baron Stadium, we had nosebleed seats and I once I got up, I was terrified they would have to call the fire department to get me down. I’m not afraid of heights, but the sense of vertigo is overwhelming in a high-seating capacity arena. So the hand rails were a big plus in my book.
An usher pointed out our seats, and suggested that next time we come, we bring a head-set to be able to hear the play-by-play.
This is a nice town, with nice people, and though it’s a tight squeeze, nobody had a problem with letting anyone through to their seats. The seats themselves are kinda small to be really comfortable, but how long are you gonna be there?
THE PUCK
Never having been to a hockey game, well, all I can say is that it was different! No goals were even scored until the end of the second period. The fans were cheering more when a fight broke out than over a near-miss. I finally asked the guy next to me (yes, I will strike up a conversation with almost anyone) if baseball is better, or if this was just a boring game. He said he liked baseball better, but wait until either a goal was scored or when #29 got out of the penalty box—then I would see some action.
Sure enough, #29 started up with #27, and as a result a couple of players were ejected from the game. Eventually the game got a little more interesting—goals scored, and fans with a few more ounces of beer in them, some high-sticking and checking, but none in the stands (I told you these are nice people).
THE PACK
During intermission between periods, we all got up to find a place to have a smoke and use the restroom. Smokers are given a return pass at a side door and packed into a sort of cattle pen outside the stadium. While I understand the idea behind sending smokers out of doors, it would have been nice if they had kept walking a few more steps instead of stopping right outside the door, but those handing out passes were too far away from the outside doors to ask people to keep moving.
The other thing that really impressed me about the arena is that they thought to put in extra ladies’ rooms! It appears that there are 2 ladies’ rooms to every men’s room, meaning wait time is minimal, even with a packed house, children included. All I can say is, they must have had a woman at the drawing board on this one.
THE SNACK
We always like a little something at a game to add to the ambience of the experience, so at one point, my fiance went out and got us two large sodas and two bags of popcorn. This little nosh came to $11. I think I’ll pass on the nachos.
A while later, the family in front of us purchased some hot dogs—which I personally enjoy partaking of at an event of this nature. Unfortunately, even from a few feet away, they didn’t smell so good to me. I didn’t want to ruin anybody’s appetite (in case it was my imagination) by saying “um, your hot dog smells like it’s been on the grill for a week”. So I kept quiet. But I think I’ll pass on the dogs too.
WE’LL BE BACK
All in all, I had a pretty good experience here at the First Union center. The parking and set up are 100% better than Montage, in spite of the work it does need. I do understand, however, that some of the show promoters were unhappy with the celebrity entrance and parking situation, as that entrance is not as accessible as they would have liked. This however was in regards to the WCW show that took place here this winter, and unrelated to my attendance this time. We’ll see how much they disliked it if and when they book another show here.
I’m not really sure what problem the locals have with the stadium, since #1. I don’t live in that county. #2. I don’t live in that borough. #3. The event I attended was a sold-out show, attended mostly by locals.
Whatever the issue is, the arena is built, it’s in operation, it’s brought jobs, tourists, and high-end entertainment (okay, WCW and hockey aren’t so high-end, but Elton John will be performing here on Good Friday) to the area. Go, enjoy. See your tax dollars at work. But don’t wear high heels.
Recommended:
Yes
Parking Availability: Busy But Manageable
Seat Location: First 20 Rows
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Epinions.com ID:
coolest-thng
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Reviews written: 92
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