BANFF – Regional sports groups and leagues are preparing to return to play at the Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre this winter season as a phased re-opening strategy is being developed for the multi-use facility.
The Town of Banff is working out details on how to safely re-open the rec centre to locals due to COVID-19 under Alberta's Stage 2 relaunch strategy, which will be in front of council at the Sept. 8 regular meeting. The current provincial strategy under Alberta Health Services (AHS) has limitations to leagues and regional participation and the Town might impose some facility modifications that's stirred mixed reactions from local winter sports groups.
“Stage 2 restrictions do not allow for tournaments and games outside of micro-leagues, and there are some indications that this will be extended to January 2021 at minimum,” wrote Amanda Arbuckle, the Town of Banff’s manager of recreation services in the report going to council.
“This will not only impact ice needs for local groups – it will also likely eliminate ice requests entirely from out-of-town bookings for the fall.”
The 2020-21 winter season is from September to May at the Fenlands, which is home to two ice rink arenas and four curling sheets.
Administration plans on using one ice rink until at least January, according to the report, due to anticipated ongoing restrictions around play, which has brought forward concerns by Banff Skating Club and Banff Minor Hockey Association.
"Although concerns are understandable, given the current booking requests and current restriction on out-of-town bookings, administration believes the activity would not justify the second ice sheet installation until circumstances change," Arbuckle wrote.
The report said that anticipated loss of community accessible spaces at schools is also factoring in on the proposal to keep one rink dry and provide “flexibility” for indoor recreation activities. As a result, administration "intends to prioritize Banff Minor Hockey practices and games in the 2020-21 season" and "Canmore Minor Hockey bookings will be prioritized with those teams with Banff players being scheduled first."
“As always, we will continue to work with local groups in supporting their activities, and hope to alleviate their concerns as the season gets underway,” Arbuckle wrote.
The report added that should provincial health regulations change or be lifted at any point, Arena 2 could be flooded and ready to skate on within 10 days.
Special bookings, such as the Junior National Team coming to Banff in December, could be still done on a single ice rink by balancing community use.
Primary local user groups include Banff Skating Club, Banff and Canmore minor hockey associations, Banff Curling Club, and six adult informal hockey leagues. Under Stage 2, 50-person mini-leagues can be formed and local organizers of the Rundle Women’s Hockey League are planning for a return to the ice under AHS regulations after receiving a lot of interest.
For Banff Curling Club, president Steven Young complimented how the Town is managing its facility and is confident the club will be able to provide a safe environment inside the four-sheet curling wing after some adjustments to game play.
"It's still four-person teams, but you'd effectively have someone calling the shot, someone throwing, and someone sweep. I think that's brilliant because you don't have to sweep all the time," said Young. "People within that can determine how they want to consume the participation ... you're not required [to wear a mask] as long as your [separated by] six feet and we're providing experience where you are [separated], but if you want to wear it, you wear it."
Young added that under Stage 2, the club is unable to host bonspiels and spectators at the venue are not permitted. However, Young is hoping the rule relaxes and out-of-towners are allowed to return this winter for competitions, which would need event-hosting approval by the Town.
"Which, I think, is fair because [the Town] has to take into consideration the overall health and well-being of the entire town," Young said.
Under Stage 2, other physical activity rules from AHS include athletes only being permitted to play one sport and must remain in their cohort; tracing efforts; limited access to locker rooms to prevent gatherings, and participants can wear masks when not participating in intense physical activity.
The "COVID impacts to Fenlands 2020-21 season" full report can be found at www.banff.ca.
