Cathy Dobson
Point Edward Minor hockey held an emergency meeting Monday, hours after village council unanimously voted to reopen the Point Edward arena Oct. 5.
“Many people are eager to get back to hockey and to having their kids on the ice,” said Liz Page, president of the Point Edward Minor Athletic Association. “We called a meeting right away to work on the details.”
At one point, it looked like the hockey season would be scrapped, she said. “Many parents will be happy it’s not. This one will not be typical but we are grateful to the village for working with us.
“It’s been tricky.”
Point Edward Arena will open Oct. 5 for use by Point Edward Minor Hockey and the Point Edward Figure Skating Club only. No other user groups will be able to book ice until Nov. 1 at the earliest.
Point Edward staff and volunteers are adhering to Ontario Minor Hockey Association protocols that dictate no league play. Instead, ice time will be used for practices only and inter-squad play among players in the same age group.
Young children who cannot skate independently won’t be able to register, spectators won’t be allowed, and there will be no tournaments or exhibition games. One parent per player will be allowed to help with putting on equipment, then have to leave the building.
There are a lot of rules but Page anticipates that anywhere from 140 – 150 players will sign on for ice time twice a week.
Allowing only two groups to use the ice in October will give arena staff a chance to get used to COVID-19 protocols, said Mayor Bev Hand during council’s meeting.
“I was pleased to see the two stage (plan),” she said.
About 70% of recreation and adult leagues that normally use Point Edward ice have said they want to resume play this fall, said public works manager Paul Churchill.
With a reduction in rentals and the additional costs of operating under COVID-19 protocols, staff predicts the arena will run with a $17,000 deficit every month.
Both Coun. Greg Grimes and Coun. Tim Mondoux said they were concerned with the financial loss.
But Coun. Paul Burgess, who is a professional goalie consultant, said reopening the arena is critical to the mental health of the community’s youth.
“I’ve had ice time (elsewhere) already and I see the smiles on the kids being able to have a little normalcy,” Burgess said. “I’m very happy we’re opening our arena.”
Page said she is optimistic that it may be possible to open Point Edward arena to spectators later in the season.
“We are looking forward to a fun, safe season where all our families pull together as a team to help out and make it work,” she said.
In Mooretown, Rink One at the Moore Sports Complex reopened Aug. 31 with physical distancing, COVID-19 screening, masks when not on ice, no spectators and limited dressing room access.
In Sarnia, Rink Two at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena has been operating since Aug. 4 with more than 35 ice users. The main PASA pad and Clearwater Arena’s two rinks will open Sept. 14 Sarnia Arena is set to open Sept. 21.
A decision by the city not to allow spectators is being reviewed.