Spectator Restrictions

Recent grant funding will make it possible to increase the age restriction for spectators and the Town is currently working to implement the necessary adjustments in staffing to accommodate the increased service. The changes are expected to take affect the first week of November. 

Residents are reminded that current Alberta Health Services directives mandate the maximum number of people who are allowed in a recreation facility. The current directive from Alberta Health Services has been set to a maximum of 100 people if physical distance requirements can be met. This is why the Town took the extraordinary measures to restrict parental access to allow for increased participation in recreation activities for children.

Alberta Health Services has stringent cleaning requirements that facilities need to follow to comply and this requires staff to complete. Every hour or every ice session, the entire facility needs to be cleaned and if additional people, such as parents/spectators, are allowed into the viewing area, so more resources and staff will need to be allocated to keep the facilities properly cleaned and sanitized before  changes to spectator limitations can be expanded.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Town restricting spectators at the recreation facilities such as Pason?

Administration is balancing the desires of all user groups/residents with maintaining required pandemic protocols and being fiscally responsible. This includes ensuring the safety of staff and users, maximizing the activity levels on playing surfaces while maintaining Council’s direction for a 0% budget increase in 2020.

Why are parents not allowed in the arenas to watch their children?

One parent/guardian will be permitted to accompany a participant under the age of 11 into specific facilities, where physical distancing can be maintained, and resources have been allocated to manage the additional cleaning in the spectator area. Masks are mandatory in all Town facilities for everyone over the age of five; players will be permitted to remove them during the activity.

Alberta Health Services has stringent cleaning requirements that facilities need to follow to comply and this requires staff to complete. Every hour or every ice session, the entire facility needs to be cleaned and if additional people, such as parents/spectators, are allowed into the viewing area, it would require more resources and staff to keep the facilities properly cleaned and sanitized.

Since the Town has had to decrease staffing and resources to meet the adjusted 2020 budget, the additional time it would take to properly clean and sanitize the facilities would require the Town to decrease the hours the facility can be open in order to balance the cost.

I have very young children that require help with their skates, how will they be assisted?

One parent/guardian will be permitted to accompany a participant under the age of 11 into specific facilities, where physical distancing can be maintained to assist their children in the dressing room. 

Who will ensure my children are safe and under proper supervision?

Instructors, coaches and program staff are trained to maintain safety and supervision of all participants using Town facilities

What are the requirements when my child comes to the arena?

Please make sure your child is dressed for their activity (participants can change skates/shoes in the dressing rooms).  Also, ensure that they come no earlier than 10 minutes before the scheduled start time and leave within 10 minutes so that staff have time to clean/sanitize dressing rooms between user groups.

Please remember that as of August 24 masks are mandatory at all indoor municipal buildings. Players are not required to wear them when they are on the ice.

Are washroom facilities available for those participating in activities held in the facility ?

Yes, washrooms are available for those participating in activities held in Okotoks recreation facilities only.