A uniquely Victorian sports experience is pulling into town.
Fans will soon be watching baseball from the upper deck of an open-top double-decker bus better known as the Hop-On Hop-Off CitySights tour buses often seen driving tourists through VictoriaBԪַs Inner Harbour.
BԪַIt will be a fantastic vantage point from up there, you will be looking over top of the fieldBԪַ Others in the crowd are going to look up there and be jealous that they are not on top of the bus,BԪַ said HarbourCats General Manager Jim Swanson. BԪַTo be able have that little bit of a height vertical overtop of the field, will give a little bit of a different perspective.BԪַ
The baseball team announced a new five-year branding agreement with the WilsonBԪַs Group of companies to rename the home of the baseball team the WilsonBԪַs Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park and bring new branding opportunities and fan experiences including the double-decker bus. The WilsonBԪַs Group of Companies includes WilsonBԪַs Transportation, YYJ Airport Shuttle, the Gray LineBԪַs Hop-on Hop-Off sightseeing tours among others.
BԪַWithout the sponsorships and the support that we getBԪַ ticket prices would have to go up. The corporations allow us to keep ticket prices affordable,BԪַ Swanson said.
The bus will fit 25 to 50 people, be a BԪַVIP experience,BԪַ and include a patio area around the bus. The vehicle will be decommissioned from the touring fleet and and renovated to accommodate itBԪַs new duties at the stadium.
BԪַTo be able to put something so very Victoria, in a Victoria ball park to us just seems like a natural,BԪַ Swanson said.