With guidelines in place, hockey is again allowed on Sault Ste. Marie's outdoor rinks.
Capacity limits are in place in addition to other guidelines, but the announcement was made Wednesday afternoon in a release issued by the City.
Following is the full release:
Following the announcement by the Ontario government that the province will be moving back into a modified Step 2 of the Roadmap to Reopen Ontario plan, Algoma Public Health has rescinded previously issued Letters of Instruction and Class Orders.
As a result, the provincial public health measures allow for shinny and pick up hockey at outdoor facilities. These rinks include Anna McCrea, Merrifield and Esposito. The outdoor ice surfaces will remain open weather permitting and must comply with all health and safety protocols including capacity limits, record keeping and active screening.
Some of the current COVID-19 guidelines that apply to all outdoor rink locations include:
- Planning your visit accordingly. Conducting a self-assessment for COVID-19 symptoms before attending an outdoor ice surface/rink or skating trail.
- At the outdoor ice surface/rink or trail, following signage and markers posted at rink locations. Maintaining a 2 metre (6 feet) distance from those you do not live with and wearing a mask or a face covering at all times even outdoors.
- Benches are located outdoors to put skates on and off. Rinks with indoor change areas will be limited and users must wear facemasks, adhere to social distancing protocols and sign in for tracing purposes.
- Security staff supervise and control usage of the outdoor skating rink locations and trail during operating hours.
Regular scheduling and capacity for the ice rinks are as follows:
- Esposito Rink (36 Queen Street West)
- Hours: Weekdays - 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Weekend: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Capacity: 25
- Merifield Rink (331 Patrick Street)
- Hours: Weekdays - 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Weekend: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Capacity: 25
- Anna McCrea Rink (250 Mark Street)
- Hours: Weekdays - 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Weekend: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Capacity: 25
- Art Jennings Speed Skating Oval (260 Elizabeth Street)
- Hours: Weekdays - noon to 10 p.m.; Weekend: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Capacity: 100
- Clergue Park Skating Trail (10 East Street)
- Hours: Weekdays - Noon. to 10 p.m.; Weekend: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Capacity: 100
For more information, follow the City’s Facebook page or contact Public Works at 705-759-5201 or the Community Development & Enterprise Services Department at 705-759-5310.
The City thanks citizens for their cooperation and patience during this time and encourages responsible use of these facilities within the guidelines provided.