By Liam Verster

Concession opportunity

Coca Cola Centre seeks new concession vendor

Aug 14, 2020 | 12:33 PM

Applications have opened for potential vendors who want to operate the concession, lounge and catering services at the Coca Cola Centre.

Connected with the Eastlink Centre, the vendor at the Coca Cola Centre would be able to serve the general public. The concession can also cater for external events, but would mostly be used to cater for the Twin Ice Arena Meeting Room rentals.

The concession averages about 10 bookings a month, and because it’s located between the St. Joseph’s Catholic High School and Charles Spencer Public Library, it also serves an average of over 80 students during the lunch rush. It’s also able to serve the approximately 3,000 daily visitors to the Community Knowledge Campus (CKC).

However, the amount of daily users has declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the slow reopening of the facilities. Angela Redding, the General Manager of the CKC, says that has provided the right opportunity to bring in a new operator.

“Now given that we’re in this pandemic situation, we felt the timing was good to go to [Requests For Expressions of Interests] now so that we could get a suitable vendor in place. It might take a few months for them to get in, get set up the way they would like to operate, set up their menu, do any modifications and that sort of thing.

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

Local History

Oliver's Funeral Home - 109 years of Service

Sep 04, 2024

“So hopefully the successful candidate would be able to get settled in to their business opportunity prior to reopening at a bit more normal capacity where the foot traffic numbers will be met.”

The previous concession, known as Rinkside Cafe, was operated by the City of Grande Prairie. This new plan would allow the City to save some money, while also allowing for an independent business to establish itself in the facility.

Redding says their preferred applicant would have experience in the foodservice industry and would be able to provide the typical concession stand staples, like burgers, fries and hot dogs, as well as healthy options.

The concession space itself is 885 square feet and is already stocked with kitchen equipment provided by the City. The cost to lease the space is $885 per month, which is based on a reduced rated of $12 per-square-foot annually, though that rate may be increased to $15 per square -foot at a later date, depending on the lease agreement. The City also collects $1 for every alcoholic drink sold during catering events, as well as 10 per cent of gross catering and concession sales.

The selected vendor would also be in charge of serving the 2,166 square-foot Legends Lounge that hosts a seating area with a projector and a bar area. Between 80 and 100 people can be seated in that lounge.

Potential vendors interested in operating the concession will be able to visit and inspect the site from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on August 18, or between 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on August 19. Vendors can register by emailing procurement@cityofgp.com.

Interested parties who wish to find more bid details, or submit an Expression of Interest, can do so at the Current Bidding Opportunities page on the City of Grande Prairie’s website, or by emailing procurement@cityofgp.com.

The deadline to submit applications is August 25, 2020.