Hi everyone,

Starting tomorrow, March 1, the Province is making its next round of changes to ease public health measures across Ontario, including removing proof of vaccination requirements and capacity limits in all indoor settings. Those same measures will also be lifted across Arenas and includes operating at full capacity (spectator and participant).

Masks are still required in all facilities when not actively engaged in an activity and must cover nose and mouth and remain on for as long as possible before engaging in their activity and, for spectators, must stay on unless actively eating or drinking.

While we will no longer require proof of vaccination, your Association or Group may choose to maintain these requirements. If that is the case, your Association or Group will be responsible for checking proof of vaccination for your coaches, trainers, volunteers, and participants – City Staff will no longer be at the entrance as screeners.

Furthermore, we continue to ask that no one enters an Arena if they are feeling unwell, are a close contact of a positive Covid case, or have tested positive in the last 5 days prior to a booking or event.

The revised Arena Guidelines are attached – please share with your coaches and parents.

All the best,

Jody
_________________________________________________________________

Jody Cameron, MBA
Manager of Arenas
Arena Section / Leisure Services
Greater Sudbury

Pursuant to the Ontario Government’s recent announcement in which Premier, Doug Ford, outlined the gradual
easing of public health measures, the Ontario Recreation Facilities Association (ORFA) and Ontario Hockey
Federation (OHF) have been working closely with owners of arenas to coordinate the return to indoor hockey on
January 31, 2022. In doing so, ORFA and OHF wish to provide additional guidance to owners of arenas, hockey
associations, and the OHF Members. This information is intended to help guide discussions and planning amongst
the stakeholders that we work most closely with to ensure the remainder of the 2021-22 hockey season is a success
for all participants.

As previously stated, OHF’s philosophy following the January pause is:
To ensure all participants have the opportunity, where possible, to participate in a prolonged and
meaningful hockey season. In doing so, we encourage our Members and hockey associations to consult with
facility owners to determine the extent in which on ice activities may be extended.

Both ORFA and the OHF recognize that prolonging the hockey season is influenced by many factors and that not all
areas of the province will have equal opportunity. With that, it is imperative that hockey associations, owners of
arenas, and those that manage and operate these facilities work closely to determine the extent in which on ice
activities may be extended. Extenuating factors influencing an extended season opportunity may include, but are
not limited to:
o Age of arena
o Capacity of refrigeration plant and associated equipment
o Increased cost to maintain ice
o Seasonal worker staff availability
o Planned construction and other capital project upgrade plans
o Other facility contracts and user commitments

Not all arenas are created equal and therefore not all arenas can sustain spring and summer ice. Influenced by the
age of arena, capacity of refrigeration plant, humidity, outdoor temperatures, and utility costs, ORFA and the OHF
recognize that some arenas will close before others. This is okay. In previous years, the meaningful hockey season
for many teams within the OHF ended sometime in late January or early February. Due to the pandemic, the OHF,
its Members, and the hockey associations restructured seasonal calendars to accommodate meaningful hockey
being played up to March 1. With the recent pause on indoor recreation activities, the OHF hopes that hockey
associations and owners of arenas can navigate a plan to see meaningful hockey extended to the end of March.

Again, we recognize that this will not be possible in every arena and that regional differences will exist.

When discussing such opportunity, we encourage stakeholders to plan for meaningful hockey for all participants,
irrespective of age, gender, or skill. As leaders, we want to ensure that all participants are provided equal opportunity
to enjoy the many physical, social, and mental benefits of recreational activities.

Requirements When Entering Indoor Facilities
Entering an indoor facility on January 31st (and thereafter) will have some distinct differences compared to usage
prior to the pause:
o Proof of Vaccination – you must show your enhanced vaccine certificate with QR code and ID. Including
coaches and all team officials.

ONTARIO HOCKEY FEDERATION
400 Sheldon Drive, Unit 9, Cambridge, Ontario N1T 2H9
T: 226 533.9070 F: 519 620.7476
www.ohf.on.ca
o Not required if you are:
▪ 12 years and (84 days) 12 weeks of age or younger
o Medical exemptions must be presented with an authorized QR code.

Regional Differences to Public Health Measures
ORFA and OHF recognize that, in many cases, public health measures take on a regional approach to deal with the
unique demands of their community and the local facilities. It is highly encouraged that hockey associations, owners
of arenas, and those that manage and operate these facilities work closely in communication. In particular, it is
important to ensure that local expectations are communicated to travelling teams in advance of their arrival. A team
approach will ensure safe and timely entrance into arenas while ensuring a positive experience for all participants
and spectators alike.

Indoor Capacity
Upon our return to indoor hockey, the Ontario Government has imposed spectator capacity limits for indoor
facilities; 500 people total or 50% capacity, whichever is lower and irrespective of how many ice surfaces are located
within one building.

Tournaments
While the OHF will continue to permit tournaments to continue their operations, it is highly encouraged that hockey
associations consult with their owners of arenas and those that mange these facilities to ensure compliance with
any and all public health measures.
We continue to encourage tournament operators to consider and follow, where possible, OHF Tournament COVID19

Guidelines and Requirements.

OHF Championships
OHF and our Championship hosts will continue to prepare for the delivery of OHF Championships, April 22-24.
OHF and host committees will continue to work closely with owners of arenas and those that manage these
facilities to ensure necessary public health measures are implemented and to ensure the safe delivery of these
profile events. In an effort to reduce public gathering, the OHF has formally removed banquets and
opening/closing ceremonies from this year’s events. Again, we recognize that additional local public health
measures may be in place at the time of these events. Those measures will be directly communicated to all
participants, their families, officials and volunteers closer to the event.

A Reminder to be Kind
Both ORFA and OHF collectively recognize that these are difficult times and that many Ontarian’s are COVID
fatigued. We appeal to all Members to embrace the hockey and community “no abuse or zero tolerance on
violence" with even greater appreciation as we work our way through these back to the rink procedures.

A friendly reminder that frontline arena staff do not make the rules, they are there to ensure our collective
safe use of the building and all that use them!

Phillip McKee
Executive Director
Ontario Hockey Federation
John Milton
Chief Administrative Officer
Ontario Recreation Facilities Association

ATTENTION ALL SMHA PARENTS!!

Check your emails for a link to the SMHA Mid Season Survey!! Sent last night. Check spam folders!!

If you didn’t receive a link, ask your manager or coach. All SMHA teams have a Team Snap representative who would have received the link, even if the team isn’t using SMHA’s Team Snap platform.

The survey closes January 31st, 2022

Thanks
SMHA Board of Directors.

Hello everyone,

Thank you once again for your patience and understanding as we continue to navigate the unpredictability of Covid.

Proper ID – Identification presented upon entrance must be a Government issued ID and include Date of Birth and Full Name (student cards are not accepted).

Safety Plans – A detailed Covid Safety Plan is required for your association and/or Group, Hockey, or Skating school and a copy must be provided to icebookings@greatersudbury.ca

Arena Capacities – Capacities are currently at 50% and each Arena varies in size. Please keep this in mind when attending an arena to view a game. We are limited to the number of people permitted.

Spectators – Family and friends attending as spectators for your ice bookings are required to adhere to the Arena and Covid Guidelines and Policies.

Masks – Masks are required to be worn at all times by everyone in the facility and must cover the nose and mouth, unless engaged in intense physical activity. Certain

Ice User Agreements – For those with current contracts with Ice Time on Monday, January 31st, you are scheduled to use this ice. If you need to cancel your ice for this day, please notify icebookings@greatersudbury.ca right away. February contracts will be sent out over the next few days – please be sure to review and inform of any changes required right away to icebookings@greatersudbury.ca

Zero Tolerance – Failure to follow guidelines and policies (including those for spectators) could result in immediate ejection from the facility and future booking privileges revoked. The City of Greater Sudbury may cancel future bookings without refunds.

We will follow up on any additional requirements or updates when received from the Province and/or Public Health.

We look forward to seeing everyone!

All the best,

Jody

Jody Cameron, MBA
Manager of Arenas

Angela Vendette has joined the 2021 Women of Distinction award winners. Congratulations, Angela!
See attached for more information.