As the Town of Okotoks moves ahead on its relaunch strategy, policies around spectators have been updated.
As of Nov. 2, the number of people permitted in Town arenas will be based on the size and suitability of each facility rather than a strict limit of one spectator per player.
In Murray Arena, capacity will be the full 100-people maximum for indoors; Piper Arena will be limited to 45 spectators and volunteers, Pason Gold arena will accommodate 75 spectators and volunteers, and Pason Green will have a maximum of 100 people.
All rink surfaces will be limited to 50 people, including players, coaches and referees.
Users and spectators are asked to come no sooner than 20 minutes prior to game time, but parents are strongly encouraged to come only five minutes ahead of the whistle if they are not directly assisting the team to get on the ice.
“Our motivation there is really not to restrict your access but when we have that volume of people coming and going from the facility, what happens is we exceed the allowances in the entryway so that’s why we are deploying different entry and exit strategies in our facilities to combat that,” said Okotoks CAO Elaine Vincent.
Anyone entering Okotoks recreation facilities is required to wear a mask, and participants are still asked to arrive dressed and ready to lace up their skates. Showers will be available, but it is encouraged for those who can shower at home to do so, she said.
In addition to changing the number of spectators in each arena, the Town is re-opening its walking track at Pason Centennial Arenas beginning Nov. 9, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The modified times are intended to keep numbers of people in the Pason Green arena down.
“The walking track is included in the number of bodies in that area, so we can’t have people on the walking track and spectators without going over the 100 people,” said Susan Laurin, Okotoks community services director.
She said the hours were chosen based on when there is not active hockey scheduled, between early morning practices and afternoon and evening practice and game times, so staff have sufficient time to clean any touch-points between user groups.
Rules on the walking track have also changed to one lane only unless passing, and running will not be permitted, she said. User groups may not use the track for warming up before games.
Masks must be worn while on the track, and users are asked to check in at the front desk prior to walking to comply with Alberta Health Services guidelines, which require keeping a record of attendants, said Vincent.
“It remains a free access, we just need to check in,” she said.
The leisure ice remains closed for the time being, and will be explored after the changes to policy in November are evaluated, she said.
Coun. Tanya Thorn questioned whether opening up the rinks to more spectators would allow some parents to bring in younger siblings when they are stuck without another parent at home or anyone else to provide child care.
“They’re either a single parent, mom or dad is at work, they don’t have access to family to watch a child, so what’s been sort of happening is they’re leaving minor children unattended in vehicles to run said child into the rink to come back out, and they’re leaving vehicles idling,” said Thorn. “I’m concerned as we move into winter the number of idling vehicles and young people being in a vehicle alone.”
Laurin said the new protocols will allow more people into the arenas, but parents must still be mindful of other families who want to watch their children as well.
While Murray Arena and Pason Green might allow 100 people and sufficient viewing space, the Piper Arena remains at just 45 spectators, which could cause issues, she said.
“If one family comes in with five they count for five of that 45, so that would mean there’s a limited number,” said Laurin. “We’re going to get criticized on the other end when we allow siblings and more than one person in per person that we hit maximum and not everyone is going to get in to see their children.
“We’re trying to do the very best we can.”
She said whenever possible, parents will still be asked to limit their families to one spectator per child.
Coun. Matt Rockley challenged the new policies, questioned whether it was prudent to open up the number of spectators at the same time as the community-wide mandatory masking bylaw came into play.
“At a time when the active cases are increasing, we’re at a watch situation now where we’re taking additional measures in the community, it seems really counterintuitive we would be taking additional restrictive measures in the community and allowing greater access all at the same time,” said Rockley. “I think it shows a lack of consistent judgment by this council.”
He acknowledged the heat received by the Town from parents wanting to see their children play hockey, but said having too many people in an indoor space could result in spreading COVID-19.
“I think it’s just logical to have some concerns about bringing in additional people into indoor public spaces,” said Rockley.
He said his preference would have been to postpone the increase in spectators until the number of active cases had reduced across Alberta.
