Lockdown trips up Melnyk's plans for fans
Senators' owner explores rapid testing, but state of emergency trumps all efforts
Eugene Melnyk is ready to welcome fans back to the Canadian Tire Centre with open arms.
But he made it clear Tuesday he only wants to do that when the time is right and it's safe to do so.
About 10 days ago, the Ottawa Senators owner appeared on Toronto's Zoomer radio and expanded a little more on the organization's plan to safely host 6,000 people in the building whenever it can get the green light from the Ontario government.
He said, at that time, he had submitted a proposal to the province with all the health and safety protocols in place so when the organization was given the green light, it would be ready to have people in the building.
Melnyk clarified his position Tuesday afternoon, a few hours after his Twitter account sent out the link in the morning to a Postmedia article posted Jan. 4 that outlined what he said to Zoomer hosts Naz Marchese and Walter Rigobon about having fans back.
He said the plan involved proper social distancing, people wearing masks and, if possible, rapid testing.
“I've got a plan, and it's been submitted, that we can put 6,000 people in our arena by distancing, testing, putting on a mask and just making sure that you do all the right protocols. It can happen already, we can do it,” Melnyk told the station.
Since not everybody heard or read what Melnyk had to say in that interview, his tweet Tuesday about wanting to welcome fans back to the building and that he had a “robust” plan in place to do so went viral on social media because it was viewed as something new. This isn't anything different than what he's said in the past.
He first revealed the possibility of having 6,000 people in the building in an article by Joe O'Connor in the Financial Post in October and repeated it again while appearing on Bob McCown's podcast with John Shannon in early November. Melnyk has been consistent in his messaging.
The Senators will start the season Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs at home, and there won't be any fans in the building for the foreseeable future. With the province in a state of emergency and cases on the rise, Melnyk felt it was important to let everyone know what his mindset is so there's no misperception.
“The start of the NHL season is just a few short days away and like many fans, I can't wait to see our Ottawa Senators back on the ice,” Melnyk posted on his website. “I would also love to see our passionate fans be able to return to the Canadian Tire Centre as soon as it's safe to do so.
“The Ottawa Senators are committed to continuing the development of a plan that allows fans to safely enjoy NHL hockey in-person — but only when the time is right. That time is not now.”
Melnyk said he fully understands why the Senators won't be able to have fans in the building. He built the pharmaceutical company Biovail Inc. from the ground up and knows better than most why it will be a while before fans return to the arena in the midst of a pandemic.
He and the Senators' president of business operations, Anthony LeBlanc, have worked closely with the provincial government to help hockey return this season. Last week, the province signed off on the NHL's health and safety protocols to allow the Senators and Maple Leafs to play in their buildings.
“Given the ongoing increase in daily COVID-19 cases and new measurements being introduced by the province to combat the spread of COVID-19, we understand as an organization that we must do our part to control this virus before we can entertain plans to bring fans back into our arena,” Melnyk said.
“We will continue to work with all levels of government to fight the spread and adhere to the provincial government's new measures. For the first time since I became owner of the Senators, my family and I will not be attending opening night. Like thousands of others, we will be watching and cheering the game from home.”
Melnyk told the Citizen in early December that he wouldn't welcome fans back until it was safe to do so, and the last thing he wanted to be responsible for was a “superspreader event” because people attended a game at his rink.
He's attempting to get the rights for a rapid test in Canada that would allow people to purchase a ticket, get tested in the parking lot and then get their result within 30 minutes so they could go into the rin. That would be similar to what happened with the NFL's Buffalo Bills last weekend when they allowed 6,000 people who had tests earlier in the week into their stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y.
“When the day comes that we can allow fans back to games in a safe way, you can rest assured that our organization will be ready,” Melnyk concluded in his website note.
“In the meantime, stay home, stay safe and stay positive that we will get through this pandemic together.”