As Chatham-Kent enters stage three, Municipal Administration is officially recommending the opening of one local arena – the Blenheim Memorial Arena, by mid-August.
The recommendation will be discussed at Monday night’s council meeting.
Mayor Darrin Canniff has suggested that one or both of the Thames Campus Arena in Chatham and Blenheim’s Memorial Arena could be open as early as “sometime next week, subject to demand.”
Monday night’s council agenda suggests the official recommendation is to open only one facility due to “historic low” demand currently.
The recommendation from administration suggests guidelines would require physical distancing to ensure safety of staff and patrons with dressing rooms and canteens remaining closed until team play is approved.
Additional Covid-19 cleaning procedures would also be implemented.
Administration says council could consider opening additional facilities if the demand justifies it.
Cost to re-open the facility is estimated to be $50,000. It is expected to take seven to ten days to re-install ice.
Thames Campus and Blenheim are the only two facilities normally with ice at this time of the year.
User groups in the area are encouraged to reach out to their usual contacts to book ice time. You can also call 519-360-1998.
In order to secure ice, sport organizations must be provincially or nationally approved, with return to play protocols in place.
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