BANFF – An 11th hour provincial government decision to allow minor sports’ practices and activities blindsided the Town of Banff, which had already started removing ice surfaces at the Fenlands recreation centre.
On Saturday (Feb. 6), Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, made a surprise announcement that children and youth could now participate in lessons, practices and conditioning activities for indoor and outdoor team-based minor sports and athletics.
Town of Banff officials say organizations and municipalities were promised at least one week’s advance notice of any changes, with an expectation that the steps in easing the COVID-19 restrictions would be at least three weeks apart.
“I can honestly say we were completely caught off guard,” said Alison Gerrits, the Town of Banff’s director of community services during a council meeting on Monday (Feb. 8). “Had someone taken my blood pressure on Saturday morning, I’m not sure it would have been great.”
On Jan. 29, the provincial government announced a four-step framework for easing COVID-19 restrictions that were put in place in December, including the first step on Monday (Feb. 8).
That plan for children's sports included one-to-one certified coach-participant activity only for now, but Saturday’s surprise announcement allowed for additional limited group physical activity for young people as of Feb. 8 – but still no games.
The new announcement allows for a group of 10, including participants and coaches, with additional social distancing requirements of three metres for indoor sports. Masks are required, except when kids are engaged in the sport. There can be up to 20 people on the ice, if the rink if split in two.
Gerrits said the Town of Banff had already made plans based on the Jan. 29 provincial government announcement, which included the one-to-one coach-participant ratio, and feedback from user groups.
“In the case of the Fenlands, it would have meant an individual would have to rent the ice for a one-hour period, or what have you – it could either be coach to individual, or coach to household,” she said.
“However, very few individuals were interested in that given the sheer costs involved, and because we had an outdoor ice surface available free-of-charge for people to use.”
A decision was made, therefore, to remove the ice from the Fenlands recreation centre – a process that began before Hinshaw’s surprise announcement on Saturday.
However, Gerrits said there was a commitment made to potentially reinstall the ice given the way the provincial framework was rolling out and if there was a demand to return to sports like hockey.
“We were told we would be given seven days notice, and it just so happens it takes about seven days for us to put our ice back in,” she said.
“We certainly could at some point put the ice back in; however, we’re still just getting information right now on what is actually permitted in terms of activities.”
Provincial health officials say many factors went into the decision to open up minor sports to youth and children in a limited way as of Feb. 8, including effects the restrictions have on children’s mental health and the important role physical activity plays in children’s development.
Dr. Hinshaw said there is lower risk of transmission in children and school age new daily cases have continued to trend downwards since the schools reopened to in-person learning.
“This change was made to support the overall health and well-being of our young people, while still guarding against the spread of COVID-19,” Dr. Hinshaw said during her Monday afternoon briefing.
“However, I want to stress to the parents, players, trainers and coaches that it’s vital that every public health measure be followed at all times.”
Mayor Karen Sorensen said she knows that Hinshaw’s announcement on Saturday “came as a complete shock” to Town of Banff administrators.
“I know decisions were made, and I know decisions were made with the support of the community, including the hockey community,” she said. “We empathize with your frustration.”
Gerrits said Banff is not the only municipality that’s removed ice from its recreation facilities, noting costs associated with keeping the ice in versus taking it out also played into the Town’s analysis and decision.
“We’ve been looking at the numbers all year in terms of the complete drop-off of revenue that’s been coming in,” she said.
“We did move forward with a couple of layoffs that were associated with the Fenlands when we made the decision to remove the ice, so it’s a just a very difficult time and a tough situation.”
Gerrits said the saving grace for now is that there is an outdoor ice rink at the Fenlands that can be reserved by locals.
“Unfortunately, this week of all weeks, it’s a little chilly to be outside, but we will maintain booking opportunities for local residents,” she said.
“We’ve been in constant communication with our user groups to figure out how we move forward.”
