| Boston, MA – March 2021
/ Newsmaker Alert / TD
Garden has been permitted to host fans at 12% capacity beginning on
March 22, 2021. The first Boston Bruins game with fans will be hosted on
March 23, and the first Boston Celtics game with fans will be hosted on
March 29. Ticketing information for upcoming games will be released by
the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics in the coming days.
To
help protect the health and safety of TD Garden guests, associates and
players, TD Garden is introducing the “Play
It Safe” commitment to care, a comprehensive program designed to
reduce the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19.
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Using
the Play It Safe protocols and evaluating every step of the guest journey,
TD Garden leveraged technology to create touch-free event experiences and
re-engineered operational and sanitation procedures to minimize contact
risk and bolster hygiene to exceed best-practice guidelines from the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, the Play
It Safe protocols have been developed in consultation with the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts, local public safety and public health officials, the
National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League. The safety
of guests, associates and players remains the top priority.
“We
have been working diligently with public health officials and experts for
nearly a year to create the highest standards of guidelines and protocols
to keep everyone as safe as possible at TD Garden,” said Amy
Latimer, president of TD Garden. “Using these new Play It Safe protocols,
following updated guidelines from the CDC, and implementing the GBAC Star
arena cleaning standards, we take the reopening of TD Garden very seriously
and are committed to the health and safety of our fans while providing
a great guest experience.”
“An
incredible amount of work and collaboration has taken place over the past
year in preparation for the return of fans to TD Garden,” said Cam Neely,
President of the Boston Bruins. “The processes and protocols that have
been put in place are structured to ensure the safety, wellbeing, and enjoyment
of our fans. We are beyond excited to welcome back the best fans in hockey
to TD Garden as their energy and enthusiasm have been greatly missed.”
“We’re
grateful for the hard work of our colleagues at TD Garden, the Bruins,
and the NBA, and for the guidance we’ve received from the Governor’s office
and city officials,” said Rich Gotham, President of the Boston Celtics.
“We have great confidence that everyone’s diligence will provide a safe,
welcoming, and enjoyable experience.”
In
addition to the now widely known policies such as stay at home if sick,
frequent hand washing and keeping physically distanced, Play It Safe also
includes many arena-specific protocols, including:
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“Play
It Safe” Promise: An online health and safety agreement that must be
completed and acknowledged on the day of the event by any individual entering
TD Garden committing to the ‘Play It Safe’ protocols.
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Mask
Required: All fans attending a game or event at TD Garden are required
to wear a mask at all times, except while actively eating or drinking in
their seat as permitted. TD Garden guests should follow mask guidelines
from the CDC.
-
All
Mobile Tickets: To reduce physical touchpoints, all events tickets
are mobile only. Guests can download their tickets on the TD
Garden Hub App for Bruins games and concerts, for the easiest allin-one
TD Garden experience. Celtics fans can download and display their tickets
on the Boston Celtics app. Bruins fans can use the Boston Bruins app.
-
Pod
Seating: Ticketed seats will be sold in pods of 2 and 4, and physically
distanced at least 6 feet between groups.
-
New
Entry Gates & Designated ‘Neighborhoods’: Guests will be given
a specific entry gate and asked to enter the arena only through assigned
entrances based on seating location. The arena has been divided into east
and west hemispheres, and guests are asked to stay within their neighborhood
to minimize contact between groups.
-
No
Bag Policy: Strictly enforced upon entry to minimize touch points,
ensure safety protocols and expedite the entry process.
-
Mobile
Concession Ordering: New amenity available to all fans, guests can
now skip the lines and order food and beverage online and through the TD
Garden Hub app and pick it up at a designated concession stand.
-
New
TouchFree Amenities: Use the TD
Garden Hub App to access features such as prepaid parking, mobile
ticketing, ordering food and beverage for contactless pick-up and using
the mobile wallet for cashless transactions for concessions and retail.
-
Physically
Distanced Exit: At the end of the event, TD Garden staff will assist guests
in a physically distanced exit procedure, similar to airline exit strategy.
TD Garden
has received the Global
Biorisk Advisory Council STAR Facility Accreditation, the gold
standard of prepared facilities, for its commitment to outbreak prevention,
response and recovery. The GBAC STAR affirms that the arena has established
and maintained a cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention
program to minimize risks; implemented proper cleaning protocols, techniques
and practices to combat infectious diseases; and extensively trained cleaning
professionals for outbreak and infectious disease preparation and response.
Additional
steps being taken by TD Garden include:
-
Staff
Protocols & Training: Specialized training and proper personal
protective equipment provided to all TD Garden, Bruins and Celtics staff.
-
Heightened
Cleaning Procedures: Heightened and increased frequency of cleaning
and sanitization based on guidelines from CDC and thirdparty experts with
hospital-grade disinfectants before, during and after events. A dedicated
“TD Garden Clean Team” will be assigned to the arena for active disinfecting
during the event. TD Garden follows guidelines from the CDC and has consulted
outside experts to clean and disinfect restrooms, concessions and seating
prior to the event.
-
Play
It Safe Signage and Physical Distancing: Signage instructions for physical
distancing throughout the arena, including ticketed seating, concourse
areas, elevators and escalators, ingress and egress.
-
Hand
Sanitizer: Available to all guests throughout the arena.
-
Facility
Improvement & Enhanced Systems: During the recent TD Garden renovation,
the arena added approximately 16,000 CFM of heating and cooling to assist
with the added square footage of expansion of the building. This additional
CFM will assist in the frequency, filtration, and distribution of air flow.
TD Garden has upgraded from Merv 8 to Merv 13 Air Filters. These filters
are typically used in hospital and clean room applications and will assist
in maintaining clean air flow throughout TD Garden. AtmosAir ionization
modules were installed in restaurants, offices and locker room airhandling
distribution units.
Play It
Safe was created in consultation with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
public safety and health officials, the NHL, and the NBA. It is grounded
in research conducted by Delaware North’s “Safer Stadia” studies and in
accordance with best-in-class practices. The goal of Play It Safe is to
uphold TD Garden’s original code of conduct, a commitment to provide a
safe and enjoyable environment for all. More at www.TDGarden.com/PlayItSafe.
About
TD Garden
TD
Garden, owned and operated by Delaware
North, first opened its doors to the public on September 30, 1995.
In the 25 plus years since, the venue has generated more than $365 million
in direct economic impact to the Greater Boston region from its major national
events alone, not including its high-profile Bruins and Celtics tenants.
The arena has played host to countless marquee events, including the Democratic
National Convention, NHL AllStar Game, NCAA Frozen Fours, NCAA Women’s
Final Four, U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials, U.S. Figure Skating Championships
and ISU World Figure Skating Championships among others. Visit www.TDGarden.com
for more information.
Media
Contact:
Tricia
McCorkle
Director
of Marketing & Communications
Boston-TD
Garden
617-624-1854
About
Delaware North
Delaware
North is a global hospitality and entertainment company founded in
1915 and owned by the Jacobs family for more than 100 years. Delaware North
operates at high-profile places such as sports and entertainment venues,
national and state parks, cultural landmarks, destination resorts and restaurants,
airports, and regional casinos. Our associates are dedicated to delighting
guests by creating the world’s best experiences. Delaware North serves
millions of guests each year in the sports, travel hospitality, restaurant
and catering, lodging, gaming, and specialty retail industries. Learn more
about Delaware North at www.DelawareNorth.com.
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