We will drop the puck again!!

As we near the end of May there is still a great deal of uncertainty in the community with regards to the re-opening of businesses as well as sport facilities.  Much like all Calgarians and Albertans we are eager to get back life as we know it, but we do realize there will be a ‘New Normal’ as organizations begin to start up.

During this time of social distancing and working from home members of the Hockey Calgary team have been actively working behind the scenes to develop plans to ensure we are back on the ice this fall.  At this time, we are still not clear on what the format will look like, but we are confident that we will be on the ice in some manner.

From everything we are witnessing in the community it appears the ‘Return to Play’ process will be in a graduated format, starting with small groups and expanding to larger ones.  We are beginning to prepare for this and looking at options that will meet the needs of our membership.

As I am sure you are aware there are decisions that are out of the control of Hockey Calgary and need to be made at higher levels of authority.  First, and foremost is the opening of facilities.  Hockey Calgary Management believes that the sooner facilities are open the sooner we can begin the plans for a graduated return to play.  We are hopeful that arenas can be opened by early to mid July with strict protocols, and this is what the Hockey Calgary organization is actively pursuing.

Hockey Calgary has reached out to the Calgary Arena Association, Ringette Calgary, and the Calalta Figure Skating Club, and we are leading the process to develop a phased plan for these user groups in Calgary.  We hope to have a draft document completed in the coming days that we can put forward to municipal and provincial leaders.

At this same time the governing bodies of Hockey Alberta and Hockey Canada are working at the Provincial and National level to ensure that we are back playing the game we love as soon as possible.  Please see link below from Hockey Canada outlining the steps being taken at the National level:

hockeycanada.ca/returntohockey

We are all eager to get back on the ice, but we must realize that the safety of our players, parents, coaches, staff, and volunteers is paramount as we return to play.  Hockey Calgary will continue to be as active as possible in developing a ‘Return to Play’ program that meets the criteria as laid out by the health experts in the province and at the same time supports the needs of our membership.

I thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we navigate this difficult an unprecedented time.  We too want to see our kids back on the ice.  Please note that registration for most Hockey Calgary member associations will open on July 1, 2020 as previously communicated.

We will drop the puck again!

Regards,

Kevin Kobelka
Executive Director
Hockey Calgary

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