Pinball is 50 cents. But it was worth the money when the Twilight Zone machine was there. They took it out for maintenance; don't know if it's back yet.
My motto, back in the day, is that you should only need *one* quarter. Still remember the time in college when my brother and I played one machine for a hour--and walked away with free games still showing.
Unless things have changed, you can buy the $10 passes and sell them back for a full refund...as long as the refund is made before game day.
www.cota.com/cbus Still a bit of a walk, but if you time it right, things may work out so you're not in the cold for 20 minutes.
I recommended something like this to my ticket rep for partial season ticket packages. This was a while back so I don't remember the reply; it was cordial enough, but a bit off-putting.
It's more profitable for the team and fairground to have parking passes for specific games rather than general use. Passes that aren't used but also not turned in ahead of time for an exchange are pure profit.
Video from the Supporter Summit is finally uploaded. Link: https://t.co/FfKJ7VW6xm #CrewSC #DropItTwice— Morgan Hughes (@Morgan_Hughes) February 13, 2015
I think the parking is extremely reasonable even at $15 compared to any other city that I've gone to see a professional team play. We also have some of the cheapest tickets in the league. I always find it amusing when you all moan about the prices! We have it way better than anyone realizes.
I'm curious to how much you make, how many kids/sisterwives you bring, and how many games you go to. There's a lot of factors to determine what's 'reasonable', homie.
You can park for a Clippers game for $5, and a Blue Jackets game for $10. In both cases there are dozens of options for dining and drinking before and after the game. You also have different options about where to park. The Crew offer none of those.
I've been a season ticket holder with wife and 2 kids that drives from Cincinnati to games. Did not get full season this year due to kids activities on Saturdays. I'm used to paying $40 to park at Steeler games!
I do wish that the Ohio Historical Society would collect for parking, it would help them get some money. I know they do some food truck nights before games. I think right now can't you park for free?
Compare parking and ticket prices to anyone in the league. Crew are near the bottom in terms of price. I ran the numbers a few months back and posted here. EDIT: Found that chart.
Yeah, that's also an NFL game. I'd also bet that if you searched around, you could probably find a lower price a few blocks away. (Or maybe even free parking combined with a bus ride.) The issue is that for the vast majority of people, the $15 fee is the only option and the state could theoretically charge whatever they want since they're essentially the monopoly there. When you're talking about someone who may go to 3-5 games over the summer, that certainly all adds up quick...and can people afford an extra $25? Maybe, maybe not. But if the Clippers offer $5 parking and discounted game-day youth tickets, well, for many people, the decision might be easier.
They are also not "major league". That's one of the challenges here. Folks in Columbus have come to expect a major league product for a minor league price. And minor league prices don't generate enough money for major league salaries (more true for the NHL). That doesn't mean I *like* a $15 parking charge. I don't. I think it's too much for the market--and that in comparison with the other big league option (CBJ). But the options are few, unlike the Jackets and Clippers, where you can avoid charges for the most part, if you are willing to walk a block or two. I will note that we are considering not getting an FST package next season, as the kid I Big Brother with will be off to college and we do unavoidably miss games due to vacations and schedule conflicts. That would be the first time since 1998. I am going to look into carpooling, though.
It makes enough of a difference that I'll probably part elsewhere and walk for most games this season. I typically like to get there early to have a couple of beers and kick the ball around, but with the long drive down from Toledo I might hangout at 4th Street before the games instead.
Question for all of you walkers and track-crossers... Near the Xenos Fellowship Center on 4th St, there is an old elementary school building of some sort. I think it is closed (or repurposed); certainly it's not in use at 7:30pm on a summer Saturday. There are signs warning "violators will be towed" etc etc. What is the story with the building? And more importantly, can one park there without fear of one's car being dragged off to the auto slammer?
I seem to remember a Dispatch article from maybe a year or two ago about that school. If I'm walking, I'd rather park in the area of 17th...it's closer (and legal.) I did it almost every game a few years ago. With the resources the SGs have, I'm kind of surprised there's no bus from Hendoc's to the stadium, stopping at 4th Street Bar. Take donations to pay/tip the driver and it could work. With a 7-10 minute bus ride, that's enough to chug 1-2 beers.
The Rapids supporters club C38 has multiple buses pick up at multiple bars prior to the game. You reserve a spot online prior to the game. Pretty cool concept and they are highly organized. Re: parking, Rapids tickets have parking included in the ticket price and says so on the ticket. If parking pricing gets to be a major issue, the Crew could always go in that direction.
Rapids are different--they are out in the middle of nowhere. I do like how a lot of European teams now do it--your game ticket is good on public transit a couple hours before and after the match--in some cases from a fair distance.
It still belongs to the school district (Xenos looked at buying it a few years back--the restoration costs were a concern as it is a listed building--first Junior High in the world or so they claim, though the old elementary at 16th was actually the first building). I would not be surprised if the city ignores it--but I would not be surprised if they saw it as revenue enhancement. My wife and I have parked in the Xenos lot, but she works there, so it's ok for us. I'd not recommend it otherwise. There is plenty of side street parking, but the neighborhood can be iffy if you are solo. I also expect folks might park on the east side of I-71, near the back way out to the northeast. But the same concerns apply.