By Town of Ponoka

COVID-19 restrictions will be in place

Ponoka Arena Complex Will Reopen for Public Use by End of September

Sep 10, 2020 | 1:47 PM

The Town of Ponoka has announced that the Ponoka Arena Complex will reopen for public use by September 30 with restrictions in place due to COVID-19.

“Ice making is currently underway and we’ve been working closely with our Arena user groups as we prepare for the reopening of the facility,” said Andrew Jones, Town of Ponoka Recreation Services Coordinator.

“The Town would like to thank our local user groups for working so closely with us as we developed COVID-related practices and procedures for the Arena in accordance with provincial health requirements and guidelines to help prevent the spread of the virus.”

Arena user groups, which include hockey and ringette, will begin holding practices and scrimmages on the ice once the facility reopens. Games against visiting teams from other municipalities will not resume until a later date yet to be determined. “Ponoka will also not host any tournaments between now and January to help minimize the spread of the virus. This decision will be re-evaluated at a later date,” said Jones.

All available ice rental time slots at the Arena are fully booked by local user groups from September to December. In keeping with provincial health requirements and recommendations, the amount of ice time available for bookings has been reduced to accommodate increased cleaning, sanitization, physical distancing and gathering restriction limits.

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Pre-Register for Public Skating

“We will also be offering free public skating at the Arena once the facility reopens,” said Jones. Public skating will be available on the small ice surface Monday through Thursday each week from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those wishing to attend public skating at the Arena must first phone the Aquaplex to register at 403-783-0131.

The outdoor rink will also be available for public skating once weather permits. The Town also plans to work with the East District Fire Department again this winter to flood and maintain the ice skating trail in Centennial Park to give citizens another place to lace up their skates and enjoy some outdoor winter fun.

COVID-19 Measures at the Arena

To help protect the health and safety of visitors and Arena staff, the following COVID-19 safety measures will be in place at the Arena to help prevent the spread of the virus:

– Hand sanitizing stations placed throughout the facility;

– Separate entrances and exits;

– Arrows and social distancing dots to help direct one-way traffic flow;

– An occupancy limit of 100 people, including all ice users and spectators;

– Frequent cleaning and sanitization of high-touch areas;

– Spectators at the Arena are encouraged to wear masks, sanitize and follow directional markings;

– Showers will not be available at this time. This will be reviewed on an ongoing basis; and

– Visitors to all Town facilities are urged to stay home if they have flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat or shortness of breath; if they have travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days; or if they have been in close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19.

For the most up-to-date information on the reopening of Town facilities, visit www.ponoka.ca. If you have questions about the Arena reopening, please phone the Town Office at 403-783-4431 or the Aquaplex at 403-783-0131.

For more information on how you can help protect yourself and others against the spread of COVID-19, please visit www.alberta.ca/COVID19.