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Memorial Gardens welcomes skaters back

Memorial Gardens is welcoming skaters back to the ice for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.

North Bay’s largest arena is the first in the city to reopen its doors with an array of new safety protocols in place. North Bay’s Manager of Sports and Events, Melinda Fry, says that skaters will have to get used to some new things, including getting dressed before they come to the arena.

“They are required to wear a mask to come into the building. The participants can take it off when they put their helmet on to hit the ice. Parents and guardians in the stands are social distancing as well as wearing masks,” Fry outlined.

Fry says that nearly all the potential ice times available for August have been booked. Times begin at 7 am and run every hour and a half, with 15 minutes set aside to disinfect the areas where people are sitting and tying their skates.

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Mayor Al McDonald said in an interview that the facilities lost nearly $5 million in revenue from not being open during the pandemic. Fry says that reopening goes beyond the bottom line.

“It’s great to generate revenue from the municipality for sure. I think from a community perspective it’s also awesome to get our youth back on the ice and hopefully it makes them feel like things are a little more normal. We have lots of hockey players here in North Bay and the surrounding area and I’m sure they’re really looking forward to skating again,” she said.

Memorial Gardens is the first arena in the area to open its doors. Fry says that there is a plan in place for the Pete Palangio Arena.

“Right now, the plan is to have ice in for September 8. We’re working on our plan to get the building back up to ice-ready conditions and we’ll go from there,” Fry said, adding that there isn’t a plan for West Ferris Arena Community Centre yet.

As for staffing, Fry says City did not have to cut any full-time jobs during the pandemic, now shifting people around to accommodate Memorial Gardens being open.

Fry added that kids she’s seen so far have been excited to return to the ice, even though it’s not what they’re used to. She says the parameters in place will have to remain for the time being.

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