Good afternoon,

We made it!  I bet everyone is very excited to resume games tomorrow.  I certainly don't want to temper any of that excitement, but we all have to be sure to follow safety protocols for each of the rinks.  RBC centre's updated protocols are summarized and imbedded below:

• Rinks A,B & D are allowed 50 spectators in total, or 25 per team.  Rink C is allowed 100 spectators, or 50 per team.  
• This will require the safety reps for each team to ensure spectators for their games are within limits, just as we did last year for games.  You should also reach out to the visiting team to advise of the limits.  
• Safety Reps are responsible for checking vaccination confirmations of spectators.
• Teams can access rooms 30 minutes in advance of ice time.
• There are 2 dressing rooms allotted per ice time, meaning for games the entire team has to be in the dressing room.  Coaches and team staff are to ensure masking protocols are followed.  
• You are free to use 2 dressing rooms for your practices.  It is up to each team to decide.
• No food or drink, masking is required. 

Sportsplex

The Zatzman sportsplex has a large arena so the spectators are capped at 400. vaccination checks are still required by the safety rep if they don't have security checking at the door.  Teams can enter 30 minutes before.  No food or drink and masking required.

ECV

Starting Monday, Feb 14th (today) here is how ECV will be applying the Phase 1 rules:

• practices, training, games and regular league play are permitted
• a limit of 60 people per playing surface (coaches inclusive) without social distancing
• tournaments are not allowed
• spectator limits are capped at 1 viewer per player
• Renter to have designated person to check Spectator Proof of Vaccination & I.D.
• Spectators must social distance and wear masks at all times - no eating or drinking
• Participants must wear masks at all times until on the playing surface

We are still waiting on word from Hockey NS on a few items so please be patient as there will be a few more updates coming in the next few days I am sure. 

Spectators are permitted inside 5 minutes before ice times, and must exit when players leave the ice.

Now, go blow the dust off those cow bells!!!!!  LET'S GO WHALERS!!!!!

Take care,

Melissa 

RBC

RBC Centre Rental Group Checklist Rules to keep patrons, players and staff safe.

COVID Vaccination Policy:

Prior to signing contract and gaining access to the facility:

-Waiver form must be signed prior to first rental, no exceptions. All payments must be made through e-transfer, credit card or cheque prior to the first rental.

-Insurance certificate must be submitted prior to first rental. Nustadia Recreation & HRM must be added to insurance as 3rd party. HRM offers short term insurance program and more information can be found at https://programs.aon.ca/authentication/event- insure/account/signin2-en.html

 -Effective February 14, 2022, NS Public Health has stated a group of up to 60 are now permitted in the field of play.

-Effective February 14, 2022, spectators will be permitted. A maximum of 50 spectators will be allowed for Arenas A, B, D and 100 for Arena C. It is the responsibility of the user group to ensure spectators meet NS Public Health Proof of Vaccination requirements.

-All user groups are reminded to use the dressing rooms assigned. Dressing room keys will be exchanged for car keys. Only 2 dressing rooms will be assigned per rental group. User groups will have access to their dressing rooms 30 minutes prior to their rental. They are encouraged to vacate the dressing as quickly as possible after the rental.

-Masks are mandatory

-Participants will continue to use the main entrance

-All users entering the facility should be prepared to show proof of vaccination

-Be mindful of signage in the facility and always follow directions from staff.

-Food and drink are NOT permitted in the facility during Phase 1

-Private sport operators should follow the guidelines put in place by their respective provincial sport

organizations and follow all provincial regulations regarding cohorts.

-No tournaments are permitted

-Public skates limited to 100 people

Revised February 10, 2022

Good evening Whalers families

First, I want to take this opportunity to say thank you for some valuable feedback.  We have listened to your concerns andwould like to apologize if some parents have not been part of the communication process.  The board is having a team managers / coaches / safety rep meeting on Tuesday, and I will ensure that all further information solicited in respect to any further team decision making.   We are all in this crazy storm together (as our safety manager said, "we are all in the same storm, just not all in the same boat" J). I am confident that the DWMHA has some of the top safety protocols in place and we are following the direction of Public Health and our governing body, Hockey Nova Scotia.

I would like to clarify the following points.

In closing, thank you again for your continued support.  We want to get back to normal, and are doing our absolute best to provide a safe practice environment until Public Health states we can get back to normal programming.

NOTE - If you are looking for contact information or general information, just click this link to be brought to our website -  https://whalers.org

Thank you 

Phil

Phil Power

President

DWMHA Board of Directors

president@whalers.org

• spectators are limited to 50 per cent of a facility’s capacity; spectator limits are also capped at a maximum of 150 people
• a limit of 60 participants indoors and outdoors applies to sports practices, games, and regular league play; physical distancing is not required
• tournaments are not allowed
• children age 11 and younger continue to be restricted from entering Nova Scotia to participate in sports and are also restricted from participating in them outside Nova Scotia