Agganis Arena to Celebrate Unveiling of Sensory Room
BOSTON, MA (October 24, 2022) – Agganis Arena, Boston’s premiere midsize multipurpose sports and entertainment venue, announced the unveiling of its Sensory Room to take place Saturday, October 29, 2022.
Home to the five-time NCAA champion Boston University Terriers hockey team, Agganis Arena has welcomed over a million Guests since opening in 2005 for hundreds of events including hockey games, concerts, family shows, and other sporting events. Recognizing a need for sensory inclusivity, Agganis Arena embarked on an initiative to become a more sensory friendly venue to better suit Guests needs.
Anchored by the creation of a dedicated Sensory Room, the initiative is built upon the foundation of providing Guests with essential means to combat instances where sensory overload occurs. The Sensory Room, first of its kind at any sport or live event venue in the Greater Boston area, was designed as a therapeutic escape for those experiencing sensory processing disorders. Located away from the crowd and event action, the room features a number of calming design elements, including aesthetically pleasing colors and furniture, a bubble wall, and devices for both distraction and focus. For Guests needing assistance, but not specifically a dedicated space, Sensory Bags are available for use containing various items meant to provide comfort and reprieve from sensory overload while in the Arena seating bowl. All full-time and part-time Agganis Arena staff members, along with third party partners, received comprehensive training from Asperger/Autism Network (AANE) on recognizing and reacting to Sensory Processing Disorders to ensure Guests receive the utmost condition of care.
Kristoffer Brassil, General Manager of Agganis Arena, spoke to the achievement stating, “I applaud my team for their efforts in presenting this idea and creating this wonderful space for our Guests. We’ve always prided ourselves on providing a safe and inclusive environment for Guests to come and enjoy a game or show. To be able to extend that opportunity for this remarkable group of Guests who might otherwise not get to is truly rewarding.”
The unveiling will begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony for invited media & Guests beginning at 4pm featuring remarks from key stakeholders. Immediately following, the Boston University Terriers men’s hockey team will faceoff against the University of Massachusetts Lowell Riverhawks for a Sensory Awareness Night game at 7pm. The game will incorporate multiple Sensory Awareness elements including testimonials from authentic voices, informational slides and videos, and an introduction to the sensory friendly improvements Agganis Arena has made.
For any questions or inquiries please reach out to either Charlotte Powers, Agganis Arena Assistant Marketing Manager, or Rebecca Reid, Agganis Arena Event Manager, who both took an active role in spearheading this initiative, or visit Agganis Arena’s Sensory Friendly webpage here.
