News

RETURN TO SKATING FOR THE 2020-2021 SEASON

posted Aug 27, 2020, 9:29 AM

Dear Stettler Figure Skating Club Families,

We are very happy to have you back for the 2020-2021 skating season! In March we left off on a very disappointing note – we were not able to complete many of our skating tests and we were forced to cancel our annual Carnival. Since then, we have missed you and we have all had to adjust to life during a pandemic. As restrictions have eased, Skate Canada has set up numerous protocols to allow a safe re-entry back to skating.

All registrations will be accepted online this year (http://www.stettlerskatingclub.com). StarSkate and Junior Star programs may register NOW. CanSkate, JumpStart and Adult Synchro registration will open September 1. We are not running our Hockey Skills or our PreCanSkate programs this year.

In order to return to skating, we must follow all federal, provincial and municipal laws, regulations, by-laws and orders. Regardless of these changes, we want you to know that we have the safety of our skating families, coaches and volunteers at the top of our priority. As per Skate Canada: Alberta-NWT/Nunavut’s Return to Skating Protocols, Stettler Recreation Center (SRC) guidelines, and SFSC’s amended protocols, we are required to inform you of the following procedures related to COVID-19. Please read all of this document, including the links, thoroughly.

PRIOR TO ARRIVING AT THE ARENA:

Self Screening is required prior to arrival at the arena or at any SFSC activity, event or meeting.

Use this DAILY SELF SCREENING DOCUMENT as a guide and DO NOT attend or send your skater if you answer YES to any of the questions or if you or your skater feel unwell.

Skaters and families should review and follow this ILLNESS POLICY

Skaters and families should review and follow this SKATING CHECKLIST – your skater should come warmed up, and dressed

Skaters and families should review and follow the SRC Safety First Arena Usage Guidelines and should watch the SRC Arena Usage Video

UPON ARRIVAL AT THE ARENA:

SFSC volunteers will greet you inside the South entrance to the arena and ask you and your skater to use hand sanitizer.

On your skater’s first day of skating, SFSC volunteers will ask you to complete this SFSC Skate Canada Waiver

On a daily basis, SFSC volunteers will complete a verbal health screening with you and your skater. They will also record your contact information for Contract Tracing. Your information will be kept securely by SRC staff for 2 weeks; will only be used for purposes of contact tracing possible COVID-19 exposure; and then disposed of.

Skaters under 12 years old will need to have an adult present to complete the screening on their behalf
Skaters 12 years or older may complete the screening themselves
A parent, guardian, or responsible adult is required to stay in the facility for all CanSkate level programs, including JumpStart

Only one adult will be allowed in the arena for each skater (plus infants if necessary) – this is to reduce the overall number of people inside the SRC at any one time.

Once screened, skaters will make their way directly into the assigned change room.

Coaches will assign skaters a space in the change room – this will be their space for the duration of the skating season.
A maximum of 10 skaters may be in each dressing room
Coaches will knock on the dressing room door when it is time for skaters to get on the ice.
Water bottles, skate guards, etc will be left on the boards and must be distanced from other skater’s personal items.
Skaters and coaches will apply hand sanitizer just prior to stepping on the ice.

Parents will make their way into the stands and must remain physically distant from non-family members. If parents need to assist skaters with their skates:

There may only be a maximum of 2 parents in each dressing room at one time; or
Parents can tie their skater’s skates along the long bench in the blue arena (not in the player’s box)

WHILE ON THE ICE:

Coaches and Program Assistants are required to wear a non-medical mask at all times
Coaches, Program Assistants and Skater should maintain physical distancing when possible.

WHEN THE SKATING SESSION ENDS:

Parents or guardians must exit the SRC and wait outside for their skater
Skaters must change and exit SRC within 10 minutes to allow SRC staff enough time to sanitize for the next user group.
Skaters and Program Assistants are no longer allowed access to the Coaches Room. Do not store any personal items, including your skating bags there as only the Coaches have access. If you have personal items in there currently, please remove them before August 31, 2020.

IF A SKATER REQUIRES FIRST AID, OR BECOMES UNWELL DURING A SESSION:

For injury: A Coach will don disposable gloves, give the skater a non-medical mask to wear, and will begin first aid as required. The parent will be called and additional health protocols (such as concussion protocols) will be followed as required.

For illness: A Coach will don disposable gloves, give the skater a non-medical mask to wear, and will direct the skater to the SRC’s identified isolation space in the Ladies Change Room. The parent, guardian or emergency contact will be called and asked to pick up the skater immediately.

Following the skater’s exit, additional cleaning measures will be implemented
Additional precautions may be taken, including ending the session, or cancelling upcoming sessions. This decision will be at the Coach’s discretion and will depend on the nature of the illness, and/or if the illness results in a positive case of COVID-19.
Skate Canada’s OUTBREAK PROCEDURE will be followed – please review

In the event that a program or skating season is cancelled:

Skate Canada fees will be non-refundable
A portion of the non-Skate Canada fees may be refunded depending on the time remaining per program. For more details on refunds, please contact our Registration Chair, Kris Satre.

COMMUNICATION:

All program, policy or protocol changes or updates will be communicated through our website emails, and will be posted on our SFSC Facebook page. When possible, information will also be posted directly on our website at http://www.stettlerskatingclub.com

Monthly Board Meetings will be held in a meeting room at the SRC the first Thursday of the month at 7:00pm. If you would like to attend a meeting, you must first contact Sara Wengryn at stettlerfscpresident@gmail.com as meeting room capacity may require us to limit the number of guests.

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS:

At this time, volunteer requirements will remain the same but will be reviewed at the September Board meeting

New Volunteer Role: Volunteers will be needed to perform the daily verbal health screenings and contact tracing at the entrance to SRC.

ADDITIONAL COVID-19 RESOURCES:

We realize that although we are returning to skating, this is not what skating typically looks like. Before we are able to return to normal, there will likely be additional changes as we progress through the skating season. We feel confident that with your help and support, we will all have a fun and successful season for our skaters. Please email me your questions and concerns and I will do my best to find you the answers. Thank you for your patience and understanding at this time as our Coaches and Volunteer Board Members navigate through unprecedented times.

Sincerely,

Sara Wengryn

Stettler FSC President

stettlerfscpresident@gmail.com