Making hockey work for local youngsters

By Mark Ribble

LEAMINGTON — Practices and drills for players in the Southpoint Minor Hockey Association are well underway, with things looking quite a bit different than in previous seasons.

With hundreds of kids converging on the newly names Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Complex, municipal staff and minor hockey volunteers were out in full force to ensure a safe hockey experience for the youngsters.

Complex Recreation Supervisor Geoff Stephenson said that the vast majority of parents have been patient with staff as they navigate through the new reality of COVID.

“We’re doing our best to keep everyone safe,” he said. “Things are different, but the kids are getting to skate.”

Coaches gather the U11 (Atom) players in a circle to go over drill instructions on Saturday, October 3, 2020.

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According to Stephenson, when players arrive for their allotted timeslot, they are expected to be dressed for hockey, except for their skates, helmet and gloves.

“This way, they can get ready as quickly as possible and get on to the ice,” he said.

Minor hockey volunteers are at the front entrance taking temperatures and screening kids and parents. Each player can be accompanied by only one adult and no siblings are permitted to attend.

As they make their way down the stairs, they are ushered into the staging area where they can don their helmets, skates and gloves. A minor hockey volunteer will get them to the appropriate rink and parents are asked to go directly to the rink’s viewing area.

An U11 (Atom) player unleashes a shot on the goalie on Saturday, October 3, 2020.

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After the practice is over, parents exit the rink to the parking lot and coaches help the kids get their skates off and out the main door to meet up with their parents.

“It’s completely different than what people are used to,” said Stephenson. “but we’re doing the best we can with the information we have been given.”

Stephenson says that after the dressing rooms are vacated (eight skaters per room), the rooms are sanitized with a fogger and wiped down on all the touch points.

Dressing room space allows for up to eight skaters per room.

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“We’re very thorough,” he said. “We want kids playing hockey.”

Leamington’s two rinks are busier than ever with neighbouring arenas not available or having limited availability.

Separate entrances are being used for the pool, the gym and the fitness areas, so that those clients do not mix with the hockey crowd.