Storm announces cut in parking fee

10/1/2005

Parking at the Sports Arena for Toledo Storm hockey games will be reduced by as much as $2 this season.

The cost of parking will be $4 instead of the $5 fee that was charged last season. The parking stub also will be good for $1 off concessions or Storm merchandise inside the Sports Arena.

The new $3 net price for parking was the highlight of a list of improvements announced yesterday by the team's new president, Barry Soskin. The changes are based on more than 325 e-mails that Soskin has received from fans on the team's Web site since he listed his personal e-mail 12 days ago.

"I believe these fans are passionate about their team," Soskin said. "Everyone has an idea and most of them were no-brainers."

During the winter months, portable heaters will be placed in the designated smoking area outside the Sports Arena.

"A lot of fans wanted to smoke in the arena, but even more said they wanted to keep smoking where it is," he said. "I'm trying to appease both the smokers and nonsmokers."

The organization also announced that when ticket sales reach 65 percent of capacity, a restroom trailer will be brought in to accommodate the large crowd.

The bar that is located in the Sports Arena, the Riverdome Lounge, will now remain open until midnight after every game. The cost of a 16-ounce beer will be $2.

"We'll have food and beverage specials. We want to get the prices down to family affordability," Soskin said.

The other upgrades include:

●Entertainment inside the Sports Arena for every game featuring live local music, magicians and comics.

●Standing-room-only tickets will be offered for $6.

●A meet-the-team dinner will be free for all season ticket and flex book holders. All other fans may attend for $7.

●Soskin and former players will be available at each game this season to interact with fans and sign autographs.

●Camps and clinics will be offered for both young and old.

Soskin said he encourages fans to continue to e-mail him at SOSKsports@aol.com.

"I want to take care of the fans that saved the team and got us here," Soskin said. "And I'm not done."

The Storm's home opener is Friday, Oct. 21 against Dayton. Other teams on the home schedule include Reading, Trenton, Wheeling, Johnstown, Las Vegas, Stockton, Greenville, and Victoria.

Toledo will play an exhibition game against Youngstown, of the Central Hockey League, on Oct. 15.

"This will be a special season of Storm hockey," Soskin said.

"Individual game tickets are a good way to go, and we hope fans will make plans to join us all season long."

Tickets can be purchased online at www.toledostorm.com, by calling 419-474-1333, in person at the Toledo Sports Arena,or at any Ticketmaster locations.

Contact Mark Monroe at:

mmonroe@theblade.com

or 419-724-6110.