Volunteer-run community rinks across the city are struggling to keep skaters safe amid COVID-19
80 of the 125 outdoor ice rinks at Edmonton Community Leagues are currently operational, due the challenging nature of maintaining a facility through the pandemic. With the lower number of ice surfaces available, Leagues are experiencing a major influx of users.
Challenges are now emerging because users are:
- not taking turns on the ice
- not keeping adequate distance between people from different households
- playing hockey when the regulations state otherwise
Currently, the guidance from Alberta Health Services and City of Edmonton is:
- keep 2 metres apart from anyone outside of a household cohort
- 10 people maximum for group physical activity on ice with anyone outside a cohort
- rink shacks are closed
- no competitions, games, events, shinny, tag or pick-up hockey
Community Leagues are not expected or equipped to enforce these public health restrictions
Community members are encouraged to report any bylaw complaints by:
- phoning 311
- using the City of Edmonton’s online submission form
A rink user found to not comply with Public Health Orders will face a $1000 fine (up to $100,000 in the courts).
The executive director of the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues, Laura Cunningham-Shpeley implores all rink users to:
“work together, look after our health and support Edmonton’s distinctive Community Leagues by following the rules and guidelines at local rinks and across the city. Community League volunteers are working hard to keep outdoor rinks open for their neighbours this winter.”
The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues continues to support Leagues with the evolving public health situation and regulations through:
- weekly online meetings
- emails
- regularly updated printable posters
- regularly updated social media posts
