Montague Ringette Return to Play Guidelines

Montague Ringette Association – Return to Play
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone back to the ice!   We are very fortunate to be in a position to return to the sport and ask for everyone’s cooperation to help ensure a successful start to the 2020-2021 season.
Similar to many other sporting organizations, we have had to make some changes in order to allow us the opportunity to play ringette during the pandemic.  A great deal of time and effort has gone into developing Ringette PEI’s Return to Ringette Guidelines.  We will follow the guidelines outlined in this document, in conjunction with the COVID-19 operational plan for our home facility, Cavendish Farms Wellness Centre, to ensure we are operating within the regulations of the Chief Public Health Office, and help to keep our participants safe.  We would ask that all participants, and/or parents/guardians review the guidelines with their players, to prepare them for the changes to the sport during the pandemic.  See Ringette PEI’s Return to Ringette Guidelines (inset link)
We have partnered with Montague Minor Hockey in the purchase of temporary boards, to divide the ice in half, in order to accommodate shared ice times.  The boards are a sturdy structure, much like dividers seen in other rinks, such as CARI and Pownal Sports Centre (not the green foam type dividers).
Our first practice ice times will be held this Thursday, October 1^st.   Our ice times for the season will remain the same as last year, Thursday evening (practice) and Sunday afternoon/evening (game day). We will post the ice times weekly, every Monday.  The times may vary slightly from week to week, at least in the short term. 
The schedule for this Thursday, October 1^st is as follows:
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm           U8   and U14
7:10 pm - 8:10 pm           U10 and U12
8:20 pm - 9:20 pm           U16/19
Due to the limits on the number of individuals allowed within our facility, there will be some restrictions in place.  We recognize the situation continues to evolve and there will more than likely be changes to these restrictions as we move through the season.  We will endeavor to do our best to keep everyone apprised of any changes as they arise. 
Currently, the facility can hold a maximum of 50 people in the rink area; of which 35 is allowable on the ice, including, skaters, coaches, etc.  Given, these maximum numbers, we are asking that No spectators remain in the arena during practice, for the time being. 
As participants arrive for the first ice time, they can expect the following:
Participants are asked to arrive no more than 15 minutes before their scheduled ice time

• Entry and exit points are sectioned off by black dividers
• Players can access the rink through the main doors to the left (library side) and follow the markings on the floor up to the sign in desk, where they will be required to sign in each time for contract tracing purposes and to monitor facility capacity
• A parent/guardian will also be requested to sign a declaration upon check-in (this will be required at the first practice only)
• A non-medical face covering will be required to enter the facility and while in the dressing room until the players helmet is in place.
• Hand sanitizer will be available for use prior to entering and exiting the facility
• Players will proceed to their dressing room and remain there until their scheduled ice time
• Players should arrive, where possible in gear, with the exception of helmet and skates
• Where this is not possible, there will be dressing rooms available (maximum of 10 per room) and one parent may accompany their child (U8 and U10 age groups only) to assist with gear (parents will also be required to wear a non-medical face mask when entering the facility and dressing room). 
• Players are to remain in their dressing rooms after their practice until the players on the next ice session are on the ice surface.
• Each player should bring a clearly labelled/marked water bottle
• Each team will also be provided with sanitizing wipes, and hand sanitizer for use as required
• Players are to leave the dressing rooms as soon as possible after their practice

 
As mentioned, these procedures are in place so that we can ensure we operate within the guidelines of the Chief Public Health Office, and keep our community safe during these unprecedented times.  Let’s work together to keep our ringette community safe. 
 
If anyone has any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. 
 
Hope everyone has a great start to the season!
 
Kind regards,
 Kathy Currie
President
Montage Ringette Association