Due to the recent announcement by Premier Ford and Dr. Williams and the Ontario Government, the Peterborough Public Health Unit will be moving to the Red Zone in the Ontario Covid reopening framework starting Monday March 8th, 2021.
This framework means:
Changes coming into effect for the Red-Control zone include:
• Team sports must not be practiced or played. Training sessions for members of a sports team that do not include games or scrimmage games are permitted
• The total number of members of the public permitted to be at the facility in all classes, organized programs or organized activities at any one time must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two meters from other persons at the facility, and in any event cannot exceed 10 people.
• The limit of 10 people applies to members of the public participating in classes, organized programs or organized activities, not the employees, coaches, officials, trainers, spectators or accompanying parents/guardians
• No spectators are permitted to be in the facility. However, a person under the age of 18 years who is engaged in activities in the facility may be accompanied by one parent or guardian
• Activities that might bring individuals within 2 meters of each other must not be practiced or played in the facility
• Any locker rooms, change rooms, showers and clubhouses in the facility must be closed, except to the extent they provide access to equipment storage, a washroom or a portion of the facility that is used to provide first aid
This means that starting Monday March 8th at 12:01am the PHA must suspend and cancel the remaining three weeks of the season as we cannot safely or equitably run our program under the new guidelines and on ice restrictions. Under the new regulations only 10 people are allowed on the ice for training sessions only and must always maintain 6 ft. distance. The PHA does not have enough ice to evenly distribute practice time throughout all Tiers and age divisions for programming according to our Return to Play policy.
This weekend's remaining games and practices will go as planned and we ask that everyone completes all Covid Screening before attending the final weekend for the 2020-2021 season.
We are extremely pleased to have been able to offer a development hockey program this season, especially as so many associations couldn’t operate at all. The players all had the opportunity to practice, play, develop and socialize with teammates safely during our 21 weeks of programing. We hope everyone enjoyed and had fun this season and can enjoy the final weekend of hockey this season.
The PHA executive will now work on finalizing the budget and will have news shortly regarding any possible refunds for Tier 1 or Tier 2. There will be further communication forthcoming regarding all financial questions you may have.
Regards,
The PHA Executive