Oilers had plans for outdoor game viewing but they've been dropped

As pretty much everyone is aware, even though Edmonton is serving as one of two hub cities for the NHL's upcoming play-ins and playoffs, fans will not be allowed in Rogers Place to watch games. The team, however, had developed plans for fans to be able to gather and have a beer or five while taking in the action.

The Oilers Entertainment Group, which owns the Edmonton franchise, planned to open a drive-in and outdoor venue, which would include a large screen for viewing games and a beer garden or tent, on the grounds of the former Baccarat Casino at the corner of 104th Avenue and 101st Street in the city. It was slated to open on August 1st, when the first official games get underway, and would have screened evening and weekend games through to the Stanley Cup finals.

Tim Shipton, a spokesperson for the OEG, estimated they would show about 80 games but more would have been possible if the idea was popular among fans.

Not everyone was in love with the set up, though. Edmonton city councillor Scott McKeen believed social distancing would be difficult under the circumstances.

"I know that we all need something, to break our monotony and give us something to be delighted by," said McKeen.

"Social distancing is hard enough to do when you're sober," he said. "And you know — good luck when people have had a few pops and are also then in celebration when their team has scored a goal and won."

In the end, it looks like the Oilers ownership group has given up on the plan and will focus on something else to be determined at a later date.

Source: CBC News

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