The Steve Kerr Memorial Complex in Listowel. (Photo by Ryan Drury)The Steve Kerr Memorial Complex in Listowel. (Photo by Ryan Drury)
Midwestern

Will fans be in the stands for hockey this winter? Locally, a tough question to answer

With COVID-19 still a reality, and hockey season around the corner, many are wondering what the scene will look like at local rinks.

That includes the Steve Kerr Memorial Complex in Listowel, home of the GOJHL's Listowel Cyclones. North Perth Interim Director of Parks and Recreation, Amy Gangl, says right now the facility is closed to general public use but is available for supervised rentals.

"We are accepting rentals. People can contact the recreation department to book facility space. All of our facility hall spaces are available, and they've been available since mid August."

Gangl says the ice can be rented starting September 14th by appointment only. She notes with regards to the GOJHL's tentative December 1st start date, it's still too early to tell what kind of spectator number might be allowed, if any at all. She notes they are taking a careful, phased process.

"First, right now is to get the players safely on the ice to be able to use it and play, and then getting out to make sure the facility is clean for the next person using it. IF all those protocols go well, then we could open it up to a controlled level of spectators."

Again, Gangl says it's too early to know what number the province will allow in arenas by December 1st, the GOJHL's tentative season start date. She says they will follow whatever the provincial and healthcare guidelines are and do their best to accommodate the teams and fans.

Some simple math might paint a better picture of where we're at now. Provincial guidelines at the time of writing have outdoor gatherings set at no more than 100 people, and indoor gatherings at 50. December is 2 and a half months away as this article is being written. COVID-19 numbers have spiked slightly in recent weeks, and the government is taking a 4 week pause from loosening anymore restrictions, which could put things like spectators at games in trouble.

There are 20 players per side at a game, so there's 40 right away. Add in at least 3 coaches per side, a trainer and an equipment manager. That's another 5 a side for 10, bringing us to 50 already.

That's not including team executives, referees, arena staff, broadcasters and of course, fans.

December is a while away, but it is also very close in terms of determining what hockey and arenas may look like.

If COVID-19 numbers keep jumping, there's no way there will be any fans in local rinks, especially smaller ones.

Some PJHL teams have already whispered that if there aren't at least 200 plus fans allowed, it won't be feasible for them to play a season with zero revenue or sponsorships.

Time will tell, but right now, COVID-19 numbers need to significantly decrease before any townships allow any fans near arena doors.

Read More Local Stories