Vees looking to shatter BCHL attendance record
The Penticton Vees are hoping to pack the SOEC like never before -- and whether they win or lose on Friday night, the main goal is replenishing food banks throughout the region.
Fans are asked to donate food items in exchange for a chance to win some big prize packages. And there will be cheap beer too, $5 a pop. It’s happening as part of Valley First Feed the Valley night.
The greatest number of fans to ever watch a Vees game was last year, Feb. 10, 2023, when there was an attendance of 4,778 on Pink the Rink night.
But the Vees aren’t just trying to outdo themselves -- they’re attempting to beat the BCHL record, set by the Chilliwack Chiefs on Jan. 7, 2023 with 5,008 in the building.
“It’s an ambitious and lofty goal by us,” said Fraser Rodgers, vice president of business operations.
To set a new league record, Feed the Valley 2024 needs at least 231 more attendees compared to Pink the Rink 2023. When the SOEC is set up as a hockey rink, its capacity is around 5,100 when every seat and the standing sections are fully occupied.
Trying to break the attendance record is “the fun one,” Rodgers said, but he hopes the large volume of fans will set new donation records for the Salvation Army. That means exceeding 2,000 pounds in non-perishable food items, and raising more than $12,000 in cash.
The Vees make it easier to be generous by offering fans a chance to win a Vees playoff package if they donate at least three food items or $5. The prize includes a suite for 10 to the team’s first playoff game on April 5, $200 for food and drinks, a visit from Harvee and an autographed jersey.
There’s also a draw for businesses that buy seats for at least 10 employees and make donations to the food bank -- they can win a pair of corporate flex tickets for the 202425 season.
And the 50-50 jackpot is going to be a guaranteed minimum of $10,000, which means one fan will be going home with at least $5,000. Rodgers said the jackpots reach $7,000-$8,000 on a typical night, but with a larger crowd and the anticipation of winning big -- he suspects the Feed the Valley jackpot will go even higher than $10,000.
“When you have a bigger jackpot there can be a bit of a mob mentality,” he said. “When people see the number on the screen climb and climb that can create a frenzy to get tickets.”
The 50/50 tickets are already on sale online at: BCHHOF5050.ca.
The Vees are going extra hard for this year’s Feed the Valley because regional food banks are struggling more than ever to keep up with demand.
“Everyone is feeling the pinch so to speak,” Rodgers said. “Food security is at a crisis level right now.”
To be part of BCHL history, watch the game on March 22 at 7 p.m. against the Merritt Centennials. Don’t forget to bring donations. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or online though valleyfirsttix.com.