Business View Magazine | June 2022

201 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 6 COMMONWEALTH STADIUM These doors welcome attendees in May for the start of the Canadian Football League (CFL) training camp and close in November after the CFL season. But there are always exceptions such as the first Heritage Classic National Hockey League (NHL) game. Played between the Edmonton Oilers and the Montreal Canadians, it was held on November 22, 2003. Currently, there are plans of possibly having an event during the December to February time frame, which would be manageable with the fulltime staff of approximately 13, including Fesyk’s role, administration, security, and 10 maintenance positions. The stadium’s temporary workforce is around 400 including additional security, customer service, and ushers. Fesyk admits, “It’s been a challenge finding personnel because they either have found other jobs or left the industry. It encompasses everyone, even our volunteer first aid staff. We just finished a job fair with a big focus on licensed security guards and customer service representatives. So far, we’re happy with the responses.” It helps that despite the ongoing COVID pandemic, people are looking forward to working again, which is very much needed with the return of major events. “We’re going to be active and animated,” asserts Fesyk. This is true with the Mötley Crüe & Def Leppard: The Stadium Tour just announced for September 4, 2022, and the football/soccer seasons already confirmed. The city wants to hire about 50 percent more staff compared to previous years to make up for the lack of personnel during the pandemic. It will also help build a bigger part- time volunteer pool. Fesyk hopes people will feel comfortable working at Commonwealth knowing that all