New Rules in Effect for Skating at Outdoor City Rinks and Ponds
THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO ~~~~~~ January 21, 2021 (LSN) Mayor Bill Mauro Announced on Facebook today that "This morning the community and council has learned that administration made a decision to remove hockey nets from all outdoor rinks"
I will be tabling a motion Monday night at Council, assuming the Chair accepts it as New Business, to have administration re-install the nets that have been removed. This motion is subject to Council approval.
The City of Thunder Bay's Media Release states:
New Rules in Effect for Skating at Outdoor City Rinks and Ponds
January 21, 2021 – In cooperation with the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, the City is releasing new rules and restrictions for outdoor skating at City rinks and ponds that go into effect today.
The additional rules include:No nets allowed (nets will be removed from all rinks).
- No games allowed including “shinny/scrub”.
- Sticks and pucks are allowed for individual or family use only.
- Capacity limits will now be posted at rinks, with a limit of 25 individuals per boarded rink.
“With so many activities canceled due to Ontario’s current lockdown, we’ve seen a large increase in the use of outdoor rinks,” said Cory Halvorsen, Manager of Parks and Open Spaces. “These enhanced rules are in place so that rinks can operate in compliance with the restrictions, and to keep everyone safe as they enjoy outdoor skating.”
Skating rinks and ponds, including those designated as unsupervised, will be monitored for compliance to these restrictions. A mask or face covering is recommended on outdoor rinks and other park areas as an additional measure during the lockdown extension, especially when physical distancing is a challenge.
For a complete list of outdoor rinks maintained by the City's Parks & Open Spaces Section, visit: www.thunderbay.ca/rinks
For more information about a City of Thunder Bay outdoor skating rink or pond, call: 625-2195.
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Don Forneri
Sports Writer of Lake Superior News
limits use of hockey nets on outdoor rinks to comply with COVID-19 rules
While outdoor rinks will continue to open across Thunder bay this year, hockey games will not be allowed on them. Why all of sudden So they're trying to minimize that as public skating is permitted, games are not permitted under the new regulations." It’s a shame that they are taking this away from
The public "I don't know if it's sending the right message but keeping distance and wearing a mask and only having 5 on the rink can still be safe and practice safe at all times makes perfect back in the day they used to play sports during rough times. It seems Covid-19 rules is not on the same page as everyone else "I realize there's a pandemic at hand. But when you look at some of the other regulations like you can go eat at a restaurant, five people per table and take off [your] masks … to take away hockey nets, I think it's a little ridiculous." Many people in the community are very upset with this choice.
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