Calgary

Job fair at Saddledome draws hundreds

The chance to land one of about 300 positions at the Scotiabank Saddledome drew a huge turnout Tuesday.

Similar event for new airport terminal last week attracted thousands

Some people began queuing for the job fair at the Saddledome several hours before the event on Tuesday. (Colleen Underwood/CBC)

The chance to land one of about 300 positions at the Scotiabank Saddledome drew a huge turnout Tuesday.

The event at Dutton's Canadian Lounge, on the west side of the Saddledome, under the +15 walkway, was scheduled to run from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. but officials opened the doors early to get the line moving. 

"There's a good chance you're going to get screened right away, and you may or may not have an interview today," said John Bean, chief operating officer of the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation, the company that owns the Flames.

A job fair for part-time positions at the Saddledome draws hundreds of applicants every summer as the Calgary Flames organization gears up for the hockey season.

"So, come down and be prepared. And come down with a good attitude."

A journeyman electronics technician who worked in telecommunications and was a safety officer on power line construction projects, Bob Lefurgey arrived hoping to land a job as a security guard.

"It seems to be the trend nowadays for any job out there, you stand in line," he said.

"I think it's just the way things are right now. It will be that way for another 10 years or so."

Lefurgey was also at a recent job fair hosted by the Calgary Airport Authority, which attracted around 2,700, forcing organizers to turn many people away.

Bean says the annual event at the Saddledome usually draws about 500 to 600 applicants.

"Based on what's been going on at the airport authority and elsewhere, we're expecting a little bit more than that," he said.

"We've upped our ushering and security people a little bit to make sure that we are tight on our processes in terms of getting people through.

The jobs permanent, part-time positions available at the Saddledome include:

  • Concessions Cashier
  • Food Vendors
  • Beer Vendors
  • Concession Prep Workers
  • Runners
  • Concession Cooks
  • Servers
  • Warehouse
  • Restaurant Hosts/Hostess
  • Restaurant Bussers
  • 3rd Cooks
  • 2nd Cooks
  • 1st Cooks
  • Licensed Security Guards

There is free parking available in parking lot A.