Kitchener Rangers unveil upgrades at The Aud

CTV’s Karis Mapp tours through a newly updated Aud as the Kitchener Rangers get ready for the regular season.

As the Kitchener Rangers prepare for their first regular season game on Friday, players and staff are getting used to their new surroundings off the ice.

On Monday, the team unveiled upgrades to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium after a five-month renovation project.

“We had a tremendous amount of work that happened in a short period of time,” Joe Birch, the Kitchener Rangers’ chief operating officer, explained.

Work was done in players’ dressing room, lounge, gym and athletic therapy areas.

“It’s unbelievable!” the Rangers’ goaltender Jason Schaubel said. “A bit of a maze at first to try and get used to the new layout, but it’s so nice.”

Officials hope the updates will help them attract and retain talented players.

“I think that’s part of the whole OHL experience,” said Birch. “We’re treating them as close as we can to National Hockey League players and our culture and environment are really important to us.”

A new media lounge was also on the list of renovations. Staff offices have been moved to the third floor.

Former players and previous team achievements are proudly displayed on the newly revamped walls.

“There’s tradition and there’s legacy,” said Mike McKenzie, Rangers’ general manager.

“You’re almost manifesting this as a winning environment, so we need to carry that torch with our team.”

The changes are already helping to hype up the team ahead of the regular season.

“If the organization is willing to put in this much time, effort and money to us, the least we can do is go on the ice and work our hardest, compete, battle, and give back to them in the way we can,” Schaubel said.

Fans can also look forward to something new as work is still underway to transform the former Subscriber’s Lounge into a new restaurant.

Memorial Cup bid

Officials with the Rangers say the renovations are coming at an exciting time, as the team is in contention to host the 2027 Memorial Cup.

The Blueshirts and Guelph Storm are facing off to see who will claim the hosting duties.

“It’s got the feel of an old school arena that you don’t get anymore with the modern rinks, but it’s also been modernized enough where it’s got those amenities that can keep up with the newer rinks as well. We’re obviously really excited about the bid, and we feel it would be a great facility to host it,” said McKenzie.

Officials said the Les Bradley Conference Room will also likely be renovated before the Memorial Cup for competing teams to use.