Blind River is slowly making preparations to reopen the town’s arena amid coronavirus restrictions, according to a report to council from its director of facilities and community services, Karen Bittner.
“Although the season will look differently than previous years, the season is organized as well as it can be by local volunteers. Similarly, to all operations in Ontario, Phase III promotes reopening safely,” she said in her report. “Tools are being shared by municipalities as well as leagues in order to ensure players, volunteers, and supports are as safe as possible.”
Bittner said the town has received confirmation from several organizations including senior men’s hockey, men’s hockey (second groups), figure skating, power skating, public skating, Jr. A hockey (training camps, skills development, etc.), private parent bookings (parents who wish to train with their children in smaller group settings for the entire season), private bookings (birthday requests etc. already coming in) and non-resident groups needing ice.
The town has received confirmation from the Blind River Minor Hockey Association (BRMHA) that, “there will be hockey, simply no accurate picture of what it will look like.”.
The BRMHA has indicated that more ice time may be needed this season as groups may need to be divided into sub-categories.
According to Bittner the town is looking into possible use by schools for larger spaces for gym classes and council has already approved a reduced fee for school use.
“As in years past, we will also be reaching out to Christian Horizons as participants were actively involved in exercise at the arena throughout winter,” Bittner added.
In preparation steps have been taken on upgrades to ensure the facility can be used safely.
“Staff have focused on updating seating surfaces to ensure they can easily be cleaned/fogged. Benches have been repainted to ensure they are not porous, as well, benches have been completely changed at players areas. Coaching staff bench area has had an additional bench installed in order to allow coaches to distance from players, benches have been fully replaced in dressing rooms, flooring mats have been stripped, power-cleaned, and sealed, walls have been painted and the concession area has had all plumbing deficiencies repaired to ensure topnotch cleanliness for users,” she said. “In addition, outdated doors are to be replaced, as per the approved capital project list, mid-September. This will allow for widened entry for those seeking accessible gateways to and from the arena, one dressing room has been earmarked for staff restroom use, public restrooms have been stripped and will be waxed prior to opening, spreadsheets are ready to track in/out users for contact tracing. quotes are ready for installing protective shields at concession, tables and chairs will be removed from lobby to deter loitering, mandatory mask use signage to be installed prior to opening, and a fogger has been received to ensure timely cleanliness between bookings.”
In addition, groups will be designated bench space versus dressing rooms to ensure rotation of spaces and distancing staff all have masks and personal protective equipment
Because of social distancing restrictions, Bittner is anticipating the facility will see more daytime use this season.
Council has asked for more information and is expected to make a decision on reopening at its next meeting on Sept. 21.