Outdoor rinks are open in St. Albert, but only for residents to practise their skating skills.
The City of St. Albert is not allowing any games of hockey, ringette or shinny on outdoor ice rinks. According to a city press release, it's not possible for players to maintain a two-metre distance from other players, especially if they're trying to steal the puck or check another player's ringette stick. This includes games under 10 people, including two-on-two face-offs.
"Community Peace Officers have been empowered to stop these games should they take place. If the games continue, the users will be asked to leave. If they refuse to leave, the users will be fined," the release reads. According to the province, fines can range up to $1,000 per offence and up to $100,000 if the case is heard in court.
While team sports are out, residents can still lace up their skates and cruise around the rink to stretch their legs during the winter. If everyone plays by the rules, the outdoor boarded rinks and ice surfaces will remain open, according to the city.
"If compliance with the rules is poor, the outdoor boarded rinks and social ice surfaces may be closed. Ultimately, users themselves will determine whether the City keeps these facilities open and maintained or not."
During the first weekend the new rules were enforced, St. Albert peace officers responded to eight complaints, five of which were related to over-capacity at outdoor rinks. In total, officers recorded 48 violations or warnings over that weekend, with 13 of those stemming from over-capacity at one rink.
On Monday, Mayor Cathy Heron said the city was looking for clarity from the province on what the new restrictions mean for hockey and other team sports on outdoor ice rinks. City staff scrambled to get the outdoor rinks ready for use last month when indoor arenas were ordered to close, she said, but the new restrictions did not make it clear if hockey, shinny and ringette were allowed.
Heron said she was "crushed" by the ban on hockey, shinny and ringette, but socially-distant passing drills would still be allowed.
On Dec. 8, the province announced a suite of new restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19, including one limiting outdoor team sports to 10 people or fewer, with two-metre distancing maintained at all times. The restrictions are in place for at least four weeks.Thanks @McIntyre_Remax I'm crushed too. It's not the little kids. Hard to stay 2m apart while playing a game of shiny. Break away ever pass. 😅 Pucks and stuck still allowed for socially distant passing drills. https://t.co/npnrprAvKA
— Cathy Heron (@CathyHeron) December 16, 2020
