The Kin Centre arenas reopened earlier this month and user groups say while they expect some challenges, they're excited to return to the ice.
The three rinks will be the only indoor skating venues open this year and likely next year as well, unless city council decides to reopen additional rinks in the city. That means user groups will get half the normal ice time they're used to, according to a report going before city council on Monday.
"I anticipate that more rinks will need to be opened when demand returns, we can only operate for so long with 3 arenas," Prince George Minor Hockey Association president Glynis Vennberg said in an email. "(It) will be challenging when Prince George Minor Hockey starts in September, but will be especially challenging to get enough ice time to accommodate all of our registrants. However, it's a good compromise and we are working closely with arena staff to make sure new (COVID-19) restrictions are being followed."
Despite the challenges, Vennberg said she is glad city council decided to reopen the Kin Centre at all.
On July 27, city council voted to reopen the Kin Centre and Prince George Aquatic Centre, which had been closed since March because of the COVID-19 pandemic. City staff had recommended keeping the facilities closed, because reopening them was expected to add approximately $900,000 to the $3 million budget shortfall the city was already facing this year. In addition, it was expected to add another $2 million to the $5.63 million shortfall projected for 2021.
CN Centre, Rolling Mix Concrete Arena and the Elksentre remain closed, and aren't expected to reopen in 2021, unless the province enters Phase 4 of its Restart Plan.
Vennberg said she thinks city council made the right decision to reopen the Kin Centre, and the city's minor hockey players are glad to be back on the ice.
"We ran our female camp last week which was successful and are running our Atoms Development camp this week," Vennberg said. "It is great to see the smiles on the kids' faces as they return to the rink. Viasport and BC Hockey have released new guidelines now that we are in Phase 3, which is very exciting and may get us back to playing games quicker than we thought."
In order to comply with the COVID-19 safety plans at the arena, kids are required to come pre-dressed, so they only have to put on their skates when they arrive.
"We expect this to be challenging for our younger groups, as most of them may need a parent to tie skates and assist with equipment. These are issues we will have to work out moving forward," Vennberg said. "The regulations put in place by city officials are for the public safety and we intend to abide by them and follow all rules that are set out to the best of our ability. I want the return to be as safe as possible for staff and for our members, and this may mean more parent volunteers during the season."
Until the association gets the go-ahead from provincial health authorities to return to playing games, teams will be focusing on skill development and the introduction of the Power Edge Pro training system, she said.
"It will have a different look, and a much more creative approach, but in the end I think will be a great season of hockey," Vennberg said.
Prince George Speed Skating Club president Meredith Earl said the club isn't sure what to expect yet, when the speed skating club starts later this year.
"We don't know what our ice allocation is – we know it will be less. Obviously we'll have to be creative with the ice we get," Earl said. "(But) we appreciate the Kin Centres will be open, that's great."
The club isn't expecting any competitions will be happening this year, unless the province changes its stance on public gatherings, she said.
"It's likely to a recreational... and skills development year. We don't really know how many kids we'll get yet," Earl said. "It's hard, because it's not a normal year."
Northern BC Centre for Skating past-president Renée Hampole said the arena staff have "been incredible with helping us adjust to the new protocols now in place."
"This is uncharted territory for all of us and we really appreciate their professionalism and support," she said in an email.
However, the restrictions on ice time will have a significant impact on the figure skating and skating development programs the centre offers, she said.
"The reduction of ice surfaces in our city, coupled with the facility restrictions now in place, is greatly impacting our programming and skater development overall. We are not able to offer the full complement of programs or the normal capacity on each session as we have offered in previous years," Hampole said. "Not only are we facing a reduction in ice time, but our off-ice training has also been severely impacted as a result of the restrictions on facility use at this time. We are doing our best to be creative and make the best of what we have right now to ensure a positive experience for our athletes and coaching team."
Hampole said the centre is concerned about its ability to retain its coaching team without enough work to keep them fully employed.
"We worry for the athletes that have invested so much into their sport and how it will affect their development and personal goals," she said. "These are (formative) years for the youth in our community and their ability to have access to programs that focus on keeping them active and engaged is extremely important. The long term effects of limited access to sports, recreation and culture for our youth is concerning."
NEW NORMAL, NEW RULES
As on-ice activities start ramping up in September, skaters, parents, coaches and volunteers will have to get used to a new set of rules at the Kin Centre.
Some of the new rules unveiled by the city include:
• Each arena is being operated as a separate unit, with separate entrance and exit.
• Each arena has a maximum of 50 people, with a limit to 20 skaters on the ice at one time.
• Access being limited to those participating in booked activities.
• Participants must come dressed to skate, and dressing rooms are closed.
• Public water stations won't be available, and no other food or drink is allowed in the building.
• Separate entrances and exits have been identified for each arena.
The City of Prince George provided user groups with maps and instructions to help them navigate the new rules, and signs are posted throughout the arena.
City director of community services and public safety Adam Davey said the city will be keeping an eye on provincial public health orders, and updating the rules and procedures for the arenas as needed.
In a report to city council, Davey said demand for ice time is expected to be higher than the three rinks can accommodate. As a result, all user groups will be limited to 50 per cent of their normal ice time.
“Initial indications suggest the new process is working as well as is reasonably expected, all things considered” Davey wrote in the report. "Administration will continue to closely monitor and work with our impacted user groups."
