Smoking at Van Andel Arena? You Have to Move, But Just a Bit
Here in Grand Rapids, one of the many places Grand Rapidians and West Michchiganders are most proud of is our vibrant downtown, and the Van Andel Arena. Top performers from around the world are always playing "the big room" of Grand Rapids. The Calder Cup Champions of hockey, the Grand Rapids Griffins, pack the joint many game nights.
With success, however, comes change, for the good, of course. New and stricter security measures are now in place, count on it taking a bit longer to get into an event. And now, the smoking area during events at Van Andel Arena will be relocated. They feel that it will better serve not only smokers, but fans coming to a show/event. The smoking area is moving from the plaza in front of the building to outside the southeast corner of the venue for all events, effective immediately. The relocation will allow more efficient access for patrons coming and going from the arena as well as better flow on the front plaza.
The new smoking area will be accessible from the concourse by the stairs located at the southeast end of the arena. Fans with accessibility needs can use the elevator at the southeast corner of the concourse to access the smoking area outside of the employee entrance and will be wrist banded for re-entry.
The smoking area will be available for fans beginning with the opening of doors until 30 minutes prior to the end of a show or midway through the final period of sporting events.