[Nancy]

There was a bulletin from Springbank Hockey today that stated that all City arenas will require vaccination. Springbank and Edge will not. (Spoiler tags for size.)

Spoiler!

September 19, 2021

The last few days have once again been extremely challenging for Springbank Minor Hockey. We were very pleased to learn that the Alberta Government’s latest public health restrictions will permit Youth Hockey Calgary to continue to operate programming. These announcements empowered facility operators who operate the arenas that we utilize to determine whether or not vaccines or a privately-paid negative PCR or rapid test will be required as a condition of access. Hockey Calgary and its member associations, including Springbank Minor Hockey (“SMHA”), are entirely dependent upon these facilities to operate our youth hockey programming.

Currently, SMHA has the following information:

• all City of Calgary rinks, YMCA rinks, Winsport and 7 Chiefs arena have announced that they will adopt a Restriction Exemption Program (“REP”) as permitted under the Alberta Government’s latest public health restrictions and will require all eligible youth participants ages 12 and older to provide proof of vaccination or a privately-paid negative PCR or rapid test within 72 hours of the applicable event in order to access their facilities (at this time, the city has not made a decision about permitting access for those with health exemptions) . The REPs at these facilities will go into effect no later Monday, September 20, 2021.
• Springbank Park for All Seasons (“SPFAS”) and the Edge School have elected to implement business capacity and operating restrictions for their respective facilities as permitted and outlined under the Alberta Government’s latest public health restrictions rather than adopt an REP for youth sports programming. Under these restrictions, no vaccinations will be required for youth participants under age 18, but youth participants must screen for symptoms, maintain 2 metre distancing (except while engaged in physical activity) and wear a mask (except while engaged in physical activity). Spectator attendance is restricted to 1/3 fire code capacity and must comply with all other physical distancing and masking guidelines. As with anything, there is a possibility for this to change.

Accordingly, SMHA will be required to follow the rules established by the facilities that we utilize which results in the following for our Membership:

Programming Participation

• Participants under the age of 12 (not eligible to be vaccinated as a result of age) are not impacted by this announcement and programming can continue for the participants as is currently offered. Once a participant is eligible for a vaccination, they will then be required to follow the guidance provided below.
  Youth participants ages 12-17 registered in our programming participating in activities at SPFAS and Edge, will not be required to be vaccinated as these facilities are not currently adopting an REP for youth sports programming. As a result, this participant group will not be required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to participate in our youth hockey programming events offered at SPFAS or the Edge School. Please note that this approach is entirely the discretion of these facility operators and subject to change at any time.
  All youth participants ages 12-17 will be required to comply with any applicable REP or other requirements in place at all other facilities (city or outside city) which may include providing proof of vaccination or a privately-paid negative PCR or rapid test within 72 hours of the event;
  All adult participants ages 18 or older in our U18 or U21 hockey programs will be required to comply with all REP or other requirements in place at all applicable facilities which may include providing proof of vaccination or a privately-paid negative PCR or rapid test within 72 hours prior to the applicable event.
  All non-participating attendees (audience) will be required to comply with any applicable REP or other requirements in place at the respective facility which may include providing proof of vaccination or a privately-paid negative PCR or rapid test within 72 hours of the event;

Withdrawal from Programming

• Members who no longer wish to have their youth participate in our programming as a result of these restrictions may request to withdraw their participant(s) from SMHA prior to 11:59 pm MT on Wednesday, September 22, 2021. Withdrawing by this deadline will result in the following refunds:

• o U7, U9 and U11 participants will be entitled to a refund of their full registration fees less $150 as such age groups have had previous access to and use of ice paid for by SMHA; and
• o U13, U15 and U18 participants will be entitled to a refund of their full registration fees less $75 as such age groups have not had any significant access to or use of ice paid for by SMHA;
• Any withdrawal requests received after this deadline (Wednesday September 22, 2021 at 11:59pm MT) will be processed in accordance with the current Refund Policy of SMHA which is available on our website;
• Members who choose to withdraw for any reason are removing the youth participant for the entire 2021/22 season. Withdrawn members will not be permitted to re-register for our 2021/22 hockey programming should the applicable public health orders or applicable facility rules and regulations be modified or repealed;
• • It is the expectation of SMHA that members who do not withdraw their youth participants from our youth hockey programming prior to this deadline are fully committed to participating in our programming at all applicable facilities, will comply with all applicable facility REP or other requirements and will not restrict their attendance to only those events hosted at SPFAS, the Edge School or any other facility not adopting an REP for youth programming. This conduct will severely compromise the efficient operation of SMHA and may be detrimental to the other players on these teams. This conduct may result in disciplinary action being instituted against these members and their youth participants in accordance with the Association’s bylaws.

We certainly understand how difficult this decision will be for some of our member families. However, any threats, harassment, or abuse of any of our volunteers or any facility staff of any kind will not be tolerated. Members engaging in these activities will be immediately suspended, their youth participants will be immediately expelled from all hockey programming, no refunds will be given per the Association’s bylaws and Refund Policy and registration for any future hockey programming offered by Springbank Minor Hockey may not be permitted.

We continue to appreciate your patience and understanding during this difficult time as we try and navigate the overwhelming complexities of this situation.

Sincerely,
SMHA Board of Directors