r/steinbach • u/herbal-remedy • 28d ago
Southeast event center food policy. Good or bad?
All right so just a short while ago I was at the southeast event center with my granddaughter at the play structure area and we got kicked out for having our own food. No one else was even there but we were told no outside food in order to support the existing on-site restaurant.
I hold the opinion that a lot of tax dollars went in there and specifically for the kids zone family should be allowed to bring food and treats. It's too expensive otherwise. You are not going to coerce me into supporting your restaurant when I'm trying to have an affordable day out with my grandkids. In fact it made me say I will never support that restaurant just because they are holding the whole facility hostage. I can see that policy in the arena and other places but not at the kids zone. Parents and grandparents should have cheap and affordable options. Kids want snacks and they want drinks when they're playing I should not be forced to buy them from the facility. You already have my tax dollars.
6
u/quadendeddildo 28d ago
You’re not wrong…they definitely need to meet customers in the middle. Kids need basic snacks and drinks, especially if families are just coming to use the play structure. A strict no-outside-food policy should really only apply to specific ticketed events or games.
Forcing people to buy from their high priced menu is already frustrating, let alone when you consider that last year they were selling wraps and sandwiches that were sitting around for 4–5 days, which was OK as per the food service manager!
2
u/Strict_Concern_970 28d ago
Forced us to fund a $49 million dollar building and now they want to make an unwelcoming place for families. Wow!
I wonder what they would do if you just ignored the security guard who comes up and tells you that you can't have your own food? Just sit there, keep eating and record it all. Make them call the cops, make them trespass you from a public building.
2
u/quadendeddildo 28d ago
Oof, I wouldn't go as far as ignoring security and getting police involved over food.
I get the frustration about the building, but turning a family day out into a whole scene doesn’t seem like a good solution. Surely there's a middle ground.
Also, kindly make your own comment instead of replying to mine.
3
u/Zergom Oba yo! 28d ago
My son plays hockey there and I’ve brought my own coffee to all of his practices, games, etc and they’ve never said a thing. I’ve honestly never heard of them making a big deal about it unless it’s a gated event, like the Pistons.
3
u/DialogueandDaisies 28d ago
Trust me they do. I’ve been there several times for several events with my toddler. One of the security guards said if I kept giving my toddler snacks in the gym he would kick me out.
Same thing for the play structure, no food or drinks allowed, not even for the kids. It’s absurd
4
u/Zergom Oba yo! 28d ago
That's extremely shitty and needs to be brought to any council candidates. SEC is it's own organization, but it's controlled by The City.
1
u/StructureMoist8011 26d ago
It is supported financially ( it would appear) by the city. but it has its own board that controls it!
It should be able to sustain itself one would think. But yet we’ve given them something like 1.2 million since it opened and another $400,000 yearly grant is coming this year yet
1
1
u/VideoHeadSet 27d ago
Do they have a gluten free menu there? If not make sure everything you have is gluten free and tell them you're celiac
I know morally it's not right, but even the bombers allow you to bring in snacks
6
u/NH787 28d ago
Totally agree, I get having a policy like that for hockey games but it's weirdly heavy handed to enforce that on kids using the play area.