By Greg Halbleib
BLOOMINGTON – The time it takes to enter U.S. Cellular Coliseum will increase somewhat because of new security measures.
Nikki Dalbey of the Coliseum said metal detectors are being installed at the downtown Bloomington arena. She said the detectors are becoming standard in the industry and are required by major concert promoters including Live Nation. Coliseum staff will be ready to move patrons through the turnstiles as efficiently as possible.
“We’ll have several attendants at every door to try and smooth the process out as much as possible,” Dalbey told WJBC’s Terry James. “We have a handbag restriction on size now and that information is posted on our website (www.uscellularcoliseum.com), so before you come to an event it’s always a good idea to see what items are and aren’t allowed.”
The first show with the new detectors is the Keith Urban concert on November 12. Dalbey said the Coliseum is working to open doors 90 minutes before showtime, 30 minutes earlier than in the past, to accommodate the screening.
Dalbey also says smoking is now completely prohibited on Coliseum property. The only way to smoke is to go outside, light up and buy another ticket to get back in.
Greg Halbleib can be reached at greg@wjbc.com.
