Hundreds of local community groups Experience Behind-the-Scenes Tours at Coventry Building Society Arena

Around 400 children and adults from schools, universities, community groups and local businesses have received free tours of Coventry Building Society Arena.

More than 20 groups have been invited for the tours so far this year as the venue ramped up its engagement with the local community.

The tour delivery, led by catering and experience director Mark O’Shea, has been expanded this year – with charities, schools and local organisations all taking advantage of the opportunity.

The stadium has been hosting two different tours depending on the group, with educational elements catered to the differing audiences.

Groups have ranged from small groups of five up to large groups of more than 40 people.

The tour for children is focused primarily around football, Coventry City and the incredible live entertainment events hosted at the venue.

There is also an in-depth educational tour for people interested in subjects such as event planning, marketing and working in the event sector, where Mark O’Shea runs guests through how the Arena operates and what it is like working at the venue.

Coventry Building Society Arena has worked closely with Sky Blues in the Community (SBitC), the official charity arm of Coventry City, to organise visits for community groups.

One of the tours organised was for SBitC’s Dementia Active group. They were given a full tour of the stadium before being invited to enjoy a hospitality experience at a Coventry City home fixture in October.

There was also a second tour for the Dementia Active Project in February, with NHS staff and adults with dementia part of the group.

John Szyndler, Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager for SBitC, said: “Andy, a participant in the Dementia Active group, said that the experience, tour and chance to meet some of the players at Coventry Building Society Arena was ‘the greatest day of his life, up there with his wedding’.

“And Siobhan who is the partner of Duncan, one of the participants who attends Dementia Active, stated ‘I wanted to let you all know how much Dunc really enjoyed the CBS stadium tour and a big thank you to the CBS staff for their hospitality and warm welcome.’

“We’ve done some great tours over the last 12 months and the people who come along really appreciate the opportunity.”

Coventry University, Young Carers Trust and a range of primary and secondary schools have been among the other groups treated to a tour this year.

Mark O’Shea said: “We have always looked to host tours for the community but this has really grown over the last 12 months.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to see behind the scenes and find out how we do things here at the Arena. But we don’t just focus on the venue, we educated as much as we can about the city as a whole – teaching children about the heritage of Coventry, be that 2 Tone music or the motor industry.

“Of course, the football is always going to be a huge part of any tour here and the children in particular always love the chance to see the dressing room.

“We tailor every tour to the group we are showing around. Ultimately, a tour like this is the closest that many people will be to playing on that pitch and getting a feel for what it is like to play a concert here.

“I always say that the hairs on the back of my neck stand up once a week working here. We try to get that feeling across to any of the groups that join us for a tour.

“We are going to continue to expand this provision and look to continue giving back to the community in any way we can.”