A model of UBS Arena sits in the Manhattan preview center. (Courtesy New York Islanders)
Preview center will use same cleaning and sanitization strategies as arena
UBS Arena plans to reopen its Preview Club with no less attention to pandemic-era health and safety efforts than the arena itself will enjoy.
The preview center, in Manhattan’s Flatiron District, offers sponsors, clients and sales prospects an indoor space to enjoy that mirrors UBS Arena’s premium suite and club offerings. It originally opened last year.
The arena is scheduled to open this fall at Belmont Park as the home of the NHL’s New York Islanders. Luxury retail and a hotel are also planned for the development.
The arena and its preview center will both use industry-leading sanitization technologies paired with operational, staffing, contactless technology and cleaning solutions to keep its spaces safe leading up to and beyond UBS Arena’s opening.
Health and engineering consultants Dr. K. Elizabeth Hawk and Ed Bosco, managing principal at ME Engineers, have contributed their expertise to the planning. The arena is actively working toward GBAC Star Facility Accreditation, ensuring that cleanliness and sanitization measures are in step with the industry’s most stringent guidelines.
“We’re working to ensure our health and safety protocols are getting implemented across our OVG portfolio of properties,” said Tim Leiweke, CEO of Oak View Group, in a release announcing plans for the reopening. The company is a partner in the UBS Arena project with the Islanders and Sterling Project Development. (OVG is also the owner of VenuesNow.)
“Our team is comprised of the best and brightest experts in their respective fields, to make sure UBS Arena has the highest-grade cutting-edge technology and safety sanitization in place to increase consumer confidence,” Leiweke said.
Visitors to the preview center will be required to practice physical distancing and wear face coverings. Once seated, patrons are encouraged to continue to wear face coverings when interacting with others but can remove them when eating or drinking. Staff members will receive the proper mandatory training on COVID-19 disinfection and safety protocols, including proper hygiene, hospitality etiquette, PPE usage and symptom reporting protocols.
As for the arena, “UBS Arena is committed to providing state-of-the-art service, sanitization, and safety, following all recommended federal, state, and local guidelines,” said Hawk in the release. “From hockey games to concerts and other live events, UBS Arena will cultivate an inviting environment in which guests can connect and enjoy a memorable experience.”
Bosco said in the release that, over the past year, “our COVID-19 task force has considered and evaluated more than 250 strategies to identify those that rise to the top as we work to develop the roadmap for facilities of the future.” He called the preview center “our first opportunity to introduce the public to these solutions so the patron perspective can be considered along with the science.”
UBS Arena will employ numerous health and safety strategies, leveraging smart technology and contactless experiences to offer guests grab-and-go food and beverage and mobile ordering, restrooms equipped with touchless fixtures and dispensers, and cashless checkout options for all sales.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated since it was originally posted.
