This past year saw the return of many events at the CN Centre, as well as many events coming to Prince George for the first time.
“Coming back out of the pandemic, we were very fortunate to host Cirque du Soleil’s OVO Show, which is a show that’s literally travelled around the world,” said CN Centre Manager Glen Mikkelsen.
“Russell Peters, his show is always hilarious and we were very pleased to host him again, and then shows such as the Celtic Illusion which was a new event that came through Prince George, and then even the Monster Trucks.”
He added the party thrown for front-line workers featuring the dueling piano kings and the Boney M. concerts were also big successes.
Mikkelsen said it was awesome to have bigger crowds come back to Cougars games towards the end of 2022.
Most notably, the Cougars sold 6,027 tickets for their December 2nd matchup against hockey phenom Connor Bedard and the Regina Pats.
“It’s challenging for staff, we’ve got a lot of new staff that have never experienced a full house like that,” Mikkelsen said.
“It’s a mixture of ‘terrificness’, but also some challenging times as we worked through with people who are unfamiliar with that size of crowd in the facility.”
Mikkelsen said the event business in Canada as a whole is experiencing some challenges right now.
“When I talk to various venues across the country, there’s a variety of factors at play, including the high Canadian dollar,” he explained.
“The cost of getting shows across the country, some of the American tours’ unwillingness to cross the Canadian border, so it remains to be seen how it’s all going to play out.”
Mikkelsen said the first two quarters of 2023 may be quieter for the CN Centre, but he’s hopeful for a busier schedule in the fall.
“Canadians are very familiar with the various Canadian acts and artists to travel across the country, but to get some of the larger shows up across the border, we’re hopeful that those can start coming across later in the year.”
As of right now, Mikkelsen said the CN Centre has the FMX World Tour coming in March, George Thorogood and the Destroyers in April, and Blippi coming in May, Cariboo Rocks the North in August.
He added there are a few more yet to be announced they’re looking forward to hosting.
“I think it really bodes well for the future, and that people do want to come back together and experience live events, and just experience the joy and the great experience, and the great memories that can come from coming together in those types of situations.”
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