Safety Netting Installed Around Sovereign Center Rink
Published on October 31, 2002 under ECHL (ECHL)
Reading Royals News Release
READING, PA â With fan safety of the utmost concern, the Sovereign Center, home of the Reading Royals and managed by SMG, has installed safety netting that will be used at every hockey game, starting with this Friday's match-up with the Wheeling Nailers at 7:05 p.m.
In July, the East Coast Hockey League required all ECHL venues to install netting above the glass that borders the corners and end zones of their arenas. The height and design of the netting may vary due to the structural differences at different venues, but it must be of sufficient dimension to prevent pucks from entering spectator areas in the corners and end zones of rinks.
The Sovereign Center has installed 240 feet of netting in the corners and end zones of the Reading Royals' hockey rink, as required by the ECHL, said Zane Collings, Director of Operations for the Sovereign Center. The netting, which is 20 feet high, will provide more than adequate protection for spectators.
"Patron safety at the Center is our primary concern," said Steve Haver, SMG's General Manager at the Sovereign Center. "We have installed this netting system in accordance with league rules, but support the league's decision to require netting following last season's tragic incident at an NHL game. It is particularly important to me because my family sits 13 rows up behind the goal."
Formed in 1988-89 with five teams in three states, the ECHL celebrates its 15th anniversary season in 2003 with 27 teams in 14 states, including the newest market in Lexington, KY. The league has scheduled 972 games for the 2002-03 season.
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