THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay Mayor Bill Mauro said he plans to seek approval from council on Monday night to return hockey nets to the city’s outdoor rinks.
The city on Thursday announced they were removing them, after reports of users playing pick-up hockey games, not properly social distancing and there being too many people on the ice in violation of Ontario’s lockdown orders.
Mauro said he thinks there’s a compromise to be had.
“That is one of the few amenities that’s left that’s available for people. The rinks can stay open, under certain prescriptions. There are rules in place through which they will remain open. If the rules aren’t adhered to, then the rinks ultimately may close,” Mauro said.
“We’re looking to see what’s possible. If it requires more enforcement to maintain the rules and to keep the rinks open, then let’s do the enforcement before we close the rinks.”
Mauro said council will receive more information on Monday related to the situation.
“So we’ll see ultimately where this goes,” said Mauro, who has not spoken with Thunder Bay District medical officer of health Dr. Janet DeMille yet for her thoughts on the matter.
DeMille, however, said essentially it came down to people not following the rules in the midst of a pandemic.
“Unfortunately, team sports were happening and the city needed to do something to reduce that from happening and not looking at closing the rinks completely.
“This wasn’t a directive from the health unit to remove the nets. It was more of a collaborative discussion with the city on different options they might have to really reduce the playing of hockey in a team way on those rinks,” DeMille said.
