'It's going to leave a lot of players unable to participate': Concerns over minor hockey in the fall
With local recreation facilities being utilized as COVID-19 vaccination clinics, there are growing concerns that ice time may be affected in the fall.
Steve Fontaine, general manager of Barrie Minor Hockey, says they could be short one to two ice rinks until the end of October.
A loss of additional rinks could result in reducing enrolment by 25 per cent.
"It could affect our rep program, as well as our select and house league programs," Fontaine says. "It's going to leave a lot of players unable to participate."
In Barrie, the Holly Recreation Centre is being used as a vaccination clinic, while the East Bayfield Community Centre is housing vaccines. Innisfil hockey shouldn't be impacted this fall, as the vaccine clinic is being run at the gym.
Hockey, figure skating and ringette are among other activities impacted by the change. In addition, ice-related adult recreation programs and public events could also be in jeopardy.
"We're hoping the city can reconsider and find another location for the vaccine rollout," Fontaine says. He hopes to know the plan within the next month to know what programs they can offer.
Barrie councillor Mike McCann wants the city to consider a new location.
"I want to have a win-win, where we can have kids playing hockey," McCann says.
McCann will be presenting a motion to use alternative venues as vaccination clinics to city council on Monday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It’s discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
BREAKING Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.