Wednesday November 4th, 2020
Dear KGHA Families and Team Staff,
On behalf of the entire KGHA Executive, I would like to extend my thanks for the support and patience you and your players have all demonstrated over the past 28 days as we, together with all minor hockey associations in Ottawa, were forced to take two steps back in our Return to Play this season.
Following the announcement yesterday by the Province of Ontario, Ottawa is moving back into Stage 3 – and we know you all have questions on what this means for your KGHA players.
Your adherence to rules as we had to limit hockey programming and participant numbers has helped support Ottawa minor hockey’s ability to demonstrate to the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Public Health that we can keep our players safe and do our part to prevent the spread of COVID.
We are still waiting on full guidance from the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Public Health as to exact details of the go forward guidelines for Ottawa facilities and on-ice program. BUT we can share that we have been given the following direction at this time for our ice times in the City of Ottawa effective Saturday, November 7th:
- Maximum of 25 on ice participants – including coaches, instructors and trainers.
- No spectators to watch practices/on ice sessions but City of Ottawa venues will allow a maximum of 25 parent/guardians to supervise their children and assist with skates prior to and immediately following their scheduled ice times. You can get them on the ice – but then we ask you leave.
- While change rooms are open for use, to their established limited capacity, players are asked to come to the rink fully dressed. Skates, helmets, etc. can go on at the rink. Chairs will be placed outside the change rooms or in the lobbies for the overflow.
- Masks are essential. All players, all team staff, and all parents assisting with skates outside the dressing room MUST be wearing masks. Players are to wear masks up to the point they step on the ice.
- Groups can arrive 20 minutes prior to their ice time and must exit the building within 20 minutes after.
- Please respect the rules at all facilities. Don't assume that all the rules and processes are going to be exact same - because the set up, entrances, people flow, change rooms, etc can be unique to each.
- It's up to all of us to do our part so that each facility can operate safely, follow direction they have been given by their local authorities and see us as good hockey citizens so we can keep coming back!
Our KGHA Ice Scheduler is working with our facility partners to update our ice schedules going forward. As part of the community pandemic response, The City of Ottawa will be reallocating some City-run facilities to support flu clinics and homeless shelters. This will impact City ice allocation for all Ottawa minor hockey associations. We’re all in together, doing what it’s going to take to see this through.
So there may be changes to your team’s assigned ice starting next week. We will be in touch with your coach and managers to work any schedule updates and ask for your understanding and cooperation as things get shifted.
We are anticipating further clarification on Friday of this week on go forward rules. And there may be some changes. We know this uncertainty isn’t easy and this season isn’t always “fun.” KGHA has always focused on building great team experiences – and we can continue to be strong within our teams to make the most out of what we can do, keep everyone safe, and do what it takes to get the game we love back on track. Please continue to visit our KGHA COVID resource page for all protocols and any updates.
Heck, I even miss weeknight games in Cornwall.
Yours in hockey,
Trevor Rose
President, KGHA
Email
Print
