The Town of the Blue Mountains (TBM) has made the decision to pull the ice out of the Beaver Valley Community Centre (BVCC) arena for the remainder of the season.
“The ice at the BVCC will be removed for the 2020/21 season. This was a difficult decision for staff to make as we know how important local arenas are to the community,” said Ryan Gibbons, director of community services for TBM.
“However, the driving force behind the decision was the extension of the provincial shutdown and the unknown of what a re-opening would look like and when that may happen,” he continued.
BVCC was originally closed on March 16 when TBM declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ice surface, which is usually open to the public near the end of September, was installed at the beginning of November.
The facility had been available for use by local minor league teams and the Beaver Valley Skating Club with a number of new COVID-19 protocols. Throughout this time the rink was not open to the public or to private rentals.
The arena was open from Nov. 2 to the first province-wide shutdown on Dec. 26.
Gibbons explained once the ice has been removed, the town does not intend to re-install the ice surface until next season.
“Staff will not be re-installing the ice if the shutdown restrictions are lifted. Instead, the focus will shift onto the upcoming 2021/22 ice season while working with the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit and user groups to ensure all protocols are put in place for a safe re-opening in the fall,” Gibbons added.
