The City of Saskatoon updated their COVID-19 protocols for rinks Tuesday…both the indoor ones the city operates as well as the outdoor facilities owned and operated by Community Associations.

Among the updates, for both types of rinks, additional physical distancing is required…two metres apart from those not in your group and three metres when on the ice. Non-medical face masks are required indoors, even on the ice, while masks aren’t required outdoors unless three metres of physical distancing cannot be maintained. Public skating capacity is 30 people…both at indoor and on outdoor rinks. Public skating is only offered in 45-minute sessions at the A-C-T, Archibald, Cosmo and Lions indoor Arenas. The full list of protocol changes follows in the release from the City of Saskatoon…

News Release

COVID-19 update on changes to programs and services

For immediate release: December 1, 2020

FI20-1786

The City is doing its part slow the spread of COVID-19 cases in Saskatoon. We have made many staffing and service changes so our employees can safely deliver services to residents and to make sure people remain physically apart from one another. This way we can all work together by staying apart – it will protect the health of essential frontline healthcare staff, core service workers and first-responders. These actions in turn protect all of us.

City of Saskatoon Indoor Rinks and Community Association Outdoor Rinks 

The City has responded to the recent provincial Public Health Orders and updated guidelines put in place by the Chief Medical Health Officer and Government of Saskatchewan effective November 27. Since the announcement of the additional measures last week, like many other municipalities in the province, the City has been working with the Government of Saskatchewan Business Response Team to receive additional clarification on the new measures and how they apply to indoor and outdoor rinks and activities.

The current Government of Saskatchewan Public Health Orders remain in effect until 12:01am on December 18, 2020, or until, in the opinion of the Chief Medical Health Officer, there is no longer a public health threat, whichever shall first occur.

To keep staff and the public safe, the following restrictions and changes will be implemented at the City of Saskatoon indoor rinks (ACT, Archibald, Cosmo, Lions and Gordie Howe Kinsmen Arenas) and the local Community Associations will be making adjustments to the operations of the community outdoor rinks which are owned and operated by them:

All Rinks: 

• Additional physical distancing is required when participating in physical activity. Always stay 2 metres apart from those not in your group and 3 metres apart when on the ice participating in physical activity.
• Non-medical face masks are mandatory when accessing indoor public facilities and services. This includes while on the ice participating in physical activity. Masks are not required when using outdoor rinks; however, if physical distancing cannot be maintained it is recommended all participants wear a mask.
• The maximum number of individuals allowed on the ice for public skating is 30 at both indoor and outdoor rinks.

Indoor Rinks: 

• A skating attendant is present during public skating hours to ensure the provincial Public Health Orders are being followed.
• Public skating is offered in 45-minute sessions at ACT, Archibald, Cosmo and Lions Arenas. To pre-book your public skating session, visit ca/leisureonlineand choose ‘Book a Visit.’
• Pre-booking is not necessary for Parent and Tot skating. If you and your child would like to attend a session, simply arrive at the designated rink in advance of the scheduled start time. All participants will be required to fill out the sign-up sheet prior to stepping out on the ice surface. To view the Parent and Tot skating schedule, click here.
• Signage has been placed in the spectator seating areas to assist with physical distancing.  Spectators are reminded to keep 2 metres of physical distance from those not in your household group.
• Know before you go! For more information on indoor rinks, including safety guidelines to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 while visiting, check out ca/indoorrinks.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Outdoor Rinks (owned and operated by the Community Associations): 
• Signage is on location at all outdoor rinks to provide information on important COVID-19 health and safety protocols and precautions.
• During supervised public skating hours at outdoor rinks, a skating attendant will be present to help ensure the provincial Public Health Orders are followed and the maximum number of users is not exceeded. Public skating hours are listed at ca/outdoorrinksand on the local Community Association Facebook or webpages. Note, not all outdoor rinks are open for the season.
• The provincial Public Health Orders prohibit organized or pick-up hockey games on the ice and because of that, hockey will not be allowed during supervised public skating hours.
• Outside of supervised public skating hours, each Community Association will determine what is feasible for their rink operations and ensuring activities are in accordance with the provincial Public Health Orders. And it is also up to all resident to do what is best for themselves, their family and fellow residents to mitigate the risks with COVID-19.  Regarding nets, on behalf of the Community Associations, the City continues to seek clarification from the province.
• A maximum of 8 participants under the age of 18 may use the ice for ice skating skills and conditioning – while maintaining 3 metres of physical distancing – should the Community Association choose to book out their ice to teams for practices.