Chiles Center – University Of Portland

Another great experience watching BYU play Portland. I think I’ll make it an annual activity. I had alot of fun.

Wow– just happened to check in here to see what others thought of the Chiles Center. We, too, had an awful experience there. I won’t bother to go into all of the issues since they are mentioned below. But I did put a complaint in with Ticketmaster to ask for a partial refund because of the bait and switch they pulled on the seats. We paid for full price seats ($ 175 each!), with the chart making it appear that we had a nice view. When we arrived we found that they had built the stage out and we were looking into the scaffolding with no view of the stage or the artist. We might have been able to put up with the stifling heat, uncomfortably overcrowded aluminum bench seating, dangerous, dark, uneven stairs, but paying that price and never seeing the star was inexcusable. Ticketmaster contacted the venue on my behalf but they were unwilling to refund anything so Ticketmaster did refund their fees. We are all definitely entitled a refund, from the venue or the artist, whoever wants to take responsibility for the false advertising. But at this point no one is. I encourage you to make sure that Ticketmaster hears your complaints. The more of us they hear from the more chance they will do the right thing and refund some of our money.

Last night was my first time at the Chiles Center — I went with a group of friends for the Neil Young concert.
Prior to entering the venue, bags were checked. No problem. What was a problem is when I was told that I could not bring my cigarettes into the venue. I said I wouldn’t be smoking them in the venue and I was told it did not matter, they do not allow cigarettes in the venue. Really? Then I was told I couldn’t bring my water bottle into the venue. I said it was empty and shook it to prove as such. Didn’t matter. No water bottles can be brought into the venue. That’s bullshit. I’ve been to hundreds of shows and music festivals. One can always bring in an empty water bottle. I was not informed on how to get my water bottle back, so it is now lost forever :(
When we entered we had a hard time trying to locate our «seats». There are no seats. Only bench seating. We tried asking a few people working the event staff, but no one was really helpful. Eventually we located the general region where we were supposed to sit, but any «seat» we purchased was already taken.
Additionally, is was stiflingly hot inside. There were no fans, a/​c, swamp coolers — nothing. The front doors were propped open, but that didn’t really help inside the concert areas where the smell of sweat, body odor, and patchouli were rampant.
Further, I am in a walking boot due to an ankle break a few weeks ago (which occurred way after I purchased my tickets to this event). I can walk, but use a cane, and I am slow. Our seats were in the upper level. Going up the stairs was a pain, going back downstairs to go to the bathroom was a pain, then going back upstairs again was an even bigger pain. Only at the end of the night, did a lovely woman, who didn’t even work there, inform me there was an elevator. By that time the show was almost over and I didn’t have the energy to look to see if she was correct. However, if there had been an elevator, it would have been nice if the event staff had pointed it out. It is pretty obvious that I am disabled at the moment. But, I can neither confirm nor deny if the elevator exists.
Lastly, the sound was decent, but not great. I’ve heard a lot better and heard worse. I could see how this could be a good venue to see live music, but I think I will pass on any concerts here in the future. The Chiles Center also doesn’t serve alcohol. I guess it makes sense when you consider that U of P is a private Christian college, but it’s nice to have a beer when at a concert. There are better venues around town — better seating, better standing, better bathrooms, better sound, better airflow, and serve alcohol.

I have been here a bunch of times most recently for a high school graduation. It is easy to get to, there is plenty of close by parking both lots and street. It is well maintained, the sound system and lighting are excellent. Ingress and egress to the building is easy. Don’t think there is a bad seat in the house.