Hello Arena user groups, on behalf of Chris New, Director of Leisure Services, here is some information in regards to ice rentals for the upcoming months. (subject to change)

As of August 24th, viaSport has updated the Return to Sport Guidelines for BC, which see us moving into the “progressively loosen” phase.  This next phase now allows sport groups to carefully increase the number of contacts and contact intensity in sport in a safe way. User groups should review the updated report by visiting   https://www.viasport.ca/.

So what does this mean for your group.  If you are wanting to move towards activities beyond the skills and drills focus of the previous phase, you will need to update your safety plan.  Appendix H of the plan outlines which category your sport falls within, and introduces the concepts of cohorts.  All the previous precautions remain in effect however now the actual field of play will allow for some contact.

It is very important to understand the concept around cohorts.  Using hockey as an example, you can now have a cohort or group, of up to 50 people or up to four teams.   This cohort will play within itself only, and not mix with other cohorts.  So you could play a mini-league of the four teams.    Although contact can occur with the players while on the ice, social distancing must be maintained while on the players benches, dressing rooms, hallways etc. – 2 m distancing between players must be maintained, or alternatives such as wearing a mask on the bench have to be utilized.    If in a couple months, your four team league wants to mix up with a couple teams from another cohort, this can be done, but first there is a two week cross over period of no games first.  After 2 weeks the new cohorts can then begin and play within their newly established groups.  Players must only be within one cohort in any particular sport,  however you can be in a hockey cohort, but also play in a soccer cohort, or other multiple sports.  Groups are now required to keep a list of all attendees for contact tracing purposes.

The same rules of access to the facilities remain unchanged.  Groups using the arena for example, will follow the same entry/exit plans as before, cleaning, safety,  arriving fully dressed in gear other than skate although skates and skate guards are recommended, etc.  Dressing rooms and showers will remain closed until further notice.  User groups will be required to do a comprehensive review of the viaSport report prior to developing your updated plan.

The current scenario may change at any time, however we will likely not see any relaxing of rules from the Province for the remainder of the year.  Under these new rules, we are asking all adult user groups to let us know whether they think they will require ice for the remainder of 2020.  We will do a similar survey of users later in the fall to determine needs for the new year.

We also want to remind users that if you do not use your regular ice slot this season, it will not affect your 2021/22 requests.  We are treating this year as a non-precedent setting anomaly.

Attached are the guidelines currently in use for the Memorial arena.  A similar package will be delivered for the Kinsmen Arena and Western Financial Place in the coming weeks.  Ongoing facility upgrades at Western Financial have resulted in a delayed opening – approximate opening dates will be circulated soon, but there will definitely be no ice use in September at WFP.


Thank you for your understanding and patience during these unusual times.