Rockets ready to roar in front of full house

• Relief for the team
• Could see up to 6,000 people
• Great for fans to reunite

Relief washed over Rockets’ President and General Manager Bruce Hamilton when we heard the province was relaxing public health restriction in Interior Health.

He spoke with Kelowna10 ahead of the team's first game with maximum capacity in over 20 months.

“I’d be surprised if we’re not in the 4,500 to 5,000 range,” Hamilton said. “I’m just excited that we’re ready to go, and people can come, and most importantly, I can quit complaining about restrictions.”

With a quarter of their season already gone and eight home games played, crowds of just 3,400 have been able to watch the team play.

Hamilton said moving to 100 per cent capacity will help with the revenue, which has been impacted by COVID-19, especially heading into the holidays.

“We have three weekend dates before Christmas where we’re confident it will fill up fast,” he said. “The biggest one is the week after Christmas. Historically, they’re games that are all sold out before we get there. Now they can go on sale and that will make a big difference for us.”

Hamilton wants everyone to feel comfortable and safe while enjoying themselves, especially those who have been committed to the franchise for a very long time.

“We got fans that have been season ticket holders for 20 years, they haven’t’ seen the people that normally sit beside them for months,” Hamilton said. “That’s a big part of it for them. Our seniors that our ticket holders, this is their social life, I want them back having fun and enjoying it.”

Provincial health orders are still in place inside the arena.

The Rockets face the Vancouver Giants tonight at 7:05 p.m. The next home game is Dec. 10, against the Prince George Cougars.