Public Ice Program Policy

Brock, Ontario · adopted 2024-02-26

This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document. Snapshot db8ef763b459 · verified 2026-06-10 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

This document is available in alternate formats upon request. Please contact the Clerk's Department at 705-432-2355 or [email protected]. Township of Brock Corporate Policy Policy Name: Public Ice Program Policy Policy Type: Parks and Recreation Policy Number: PR10 Reference: COW-2024-073 Date Approved: February 26, 2024 Date Revised: Approval By: Council Point of Contact: Manager Facilities Policy Statement Public Skating is defined as a regularly scheduled skating program, which is offered to the public with or without an admission being charged for the admittance. It may or may not be a program completely sponsored by the Township directly, or through another community sponsor. Public Skating is governed by the procedures set out in this policy. Purpose This policy reflects the Township of Brock's commitment to providing and maintaining a healthy and safe environment for all its employees, residents, visitors and stakeholders. It provides guidelines for enforcement, clarity of permitted activities and practices that will ensure a pleasant experience for all. 1. Procedures All patrons who participate in public skating programs must respect the following rules: - Children 12 years and younger must be accompanied and supervised by a guardian 14 years or older in the building - Skaters should be in a constant flow during public skating and travel in the same direction as all skaters; - All participants must be wearing skates while on the ice surface; - The use of CSA approved helmets designed for ice skating are strongly recommended; - The use of approved skating aids will be permitted on the ice during applicable general public skating programs; - Wheelchairs are permitted on the ice surface once the wheels have been cleaned; - Strollers are permitted on the ice surface once the wheels have been cleaned, at the discretion of the Arena staff person; - Persons accompanying those in wheelchairs or ice sledges must wear skates and be skilled skaters; - Township Staff are to be respected and are responsible for enforcement of rules at all times; and - Rules of Conduct will be posted within the Public Skating Facility. Prohibited: - Food/Drink on the Ice - Horseplay/Games - Skating backwards - Erratic/excessive speed skating - Figure Skating maneuvers - Balls/pucks/chairs/sticks or any other item which may interfere with the safety of any skater while on the ice surface - Headsets, cell phones or handheld electronic devices are not to be used while skating - Carrying of Children - Sitting on the boards - Shoes on the Ice 2. Township Staff Supervision General public skating programs will always be supervised by Staff who are trained in First Aid and CPR. Ice patrol must be at least 16 years of age, and directly supervised by a staff person over the age of 18. One-ice supervisors, when assigned, are always required to wear CSA approved hockey helmet and safety vest. The following on ice supervision is recommended: Ice Patrol to Skater Ratio: - 1 Skate Patrol 1-59 skaters - 2 Skate Patrol 60-119 skaters - 3 skate Patrol 120-150 skaters . The Occupational Health and Safety Act require that all employees will be provided with adequate training. It is recommended that each skate patrol will have First Aid training; the Township will only be responsible to provide WHMIS and Emergency Evacuation training and may be responsible to provide other identified training as required. 3. Unruly Patrons All acts of vandalism, unruliness, violence, injury or general concerns must be recorded. The Zero Tolerance Policy in the Township of Brock will govern all acts of vandalism and violence. The following will govern Unruly Patrons during Public Skating; incidents will be recorded in a logbook. Any persons causing a disturbance at Public Skating by not adhering to the rules of safe skating, not obeying staff or by jeopardizing the safety of others will be subject to the following: 1. On the first offense, a verbal warning regarding their behaviour and the consequences of any further infractions explained; 2. On the second offense, a denial of public skating privileges for a one-week period will be imposed. Parents or guardians must contact the Arena Manager or designate before re-admittance is allowed; and 3. If the third infraction of the rules takes place a six-month suspension of all privileges of the arena will be imposed. A letter of cancellation of privileges will be sent by registered mail from the Manager of Parks, Recreation and Facilities. Skate Patrols are not to physically remove skaters who are misbehaving. If a skater must be removed, the Skate Patrol will summon assistance. When the parent or guardian returns to pick up the misbehaved skater, the Skate Patrol and the Arena Manager and/or designate staff should ask to speak to the parent or guardian. Outline the occurrence and the ramification of future incidents. At all times employees will remain calm, firm and respectful. 4. Persons with a Disability Section 1 of the Human Rights Code Act, Chapter H. 19, R.S.O 1990, reads as follows: "Every persona has a right to equal treatment with respect to services, goods and facilities without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, same sex partnership status, family status or disability." For the safety of all involved it is permissible to designate a specific area for wheelchair use during public skating i.e. close to the boards. Wheelchairs must not interfere with the flow of the skaters; Persons with a disability who wish to participate in public skating programs, by using their wheelchair or an ice sledge should be permitted to do so. However, persons accompanying persons with a disability onto the ice must do so on ice skates (being a skilled skater). For the safety of all skaters a wheelchair will have their wheels cleaned prior to entering onto the ice. 5. Music The music being played as background effect will be chosen and approved by Township Staff. Any music brought by the public with no cover or list of songs will not be played for public events. It is not acceptable for any person to wear headphones or listen to a personal music source while public skating. 6. Skating Aids Skating aids approved by Township Staff may be used. Any persons assisting skaters using skating aids must be wearing skates. Street shoes are not permitted on any ice surface. 7. Illumination Levels All surface lighting will be operated to its full capacity during public skating events. 8. Ice Load Capacity Ice capacities are calculated using Ontario Recreation Facilities Association guidelines based on ice surface area. The capacities differ for each arena and are posted in a conspicuous location in each facility. 9. Admission Fees Any public skating program that charges an admission must submit HST on these fees. Admission charges for public skating will be established as part of the Fees By-law for the Township of Brock. Recommendations for these fees are submitted to Council for approval. 10. Alcohol & Illicit Substances Any person under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not permitted to enter any of the arenas within the Township of Brock. 11. Ice Resurfacing The ice surface will be resurfaced at the discretion of arena staff, based on usage patterns, participant numbers, ice conditions and safety considerations. In general, the ice will be flooded every 50 minutes. No person will be permitted on the ice during resurfacing. Township Staff will: - Ensure no persons are on the ice prior to, during or until the ice resurface is off the ice and the access door is closed; - Ensure all ice surface doors are closed; - Ensure that no foreign matter is on the ice surface before or after the flooding process; - Evaluate ice conditions; and - Evaluate the boards, glass and any other area that the public has access to for poor or dangerous conditions. 12. Leisure Skating Session Descriptions Skating sessions that are specific to one group or organization may include exceptions to specific sections of the Skaters Rules of Conduct and other guidelines listed within the Public Skating Policy. Not all leisure skating programs may appear on the schedule on a regular basis but are provided in the case of schedule changes. Public Skate Public skate is a general Public Skating session designed for all ages to participate in a leisurely skate. Skaters' Rules of Conduct will apply. Senior Skate Senior Skate is designed for participants ages 50+ to participate in a leisurely skate in a seniors-only environment. This skate is not supervised. Helmets are strongly recommended. Youth Stick & Puck Youth Stick and Puck is a program that allows the use of pucks/rings and sticks only. Sessions will be divided by age categories. - Pucks will not be raised above the knee and shooting the puck with excessive force will not be permitted (slap shots); - There are no goalies or nets on the ice during Stick & Puck; and - CSA approved hockey helmets are required. Pick Up Hockey (Shinny) Non-contact scrimmage session. - Shooting the puck with excessive force will not be permitted; - Physical contact will not be permitted; - CSA approve hockey helmets will be required; - Full hockey equipment must be worn at all times while on the ice surface. Parent & Tot & Seniors Program for young children and a supervising adult to skate together, as well as drop in skating for Seniors. - Children must be 6 years of age or younger to participate in this program; - Children must be accompanied by an adult on the ice surface; - Adults must be at a ratio of no more than 3 children to each adult; and - No carrying of children is to be permitted. Drop in Figure Skating Drop in Figure Skating is a pay as you go program designed for figure skaters. - Participants must be a Skate Canada member before participating; and - Proof of membership is required at sign-in. 13. Emergency Evacuation Planning Should there be a toxic leak, fire, hydro interruption etc. Skate Patrollers, along with all other arena staff must be provided with adequate emergency evacuation techniques/training. Skate patrol must be prepared to provide guidance to all patrons during emergency situations. They must know their responsibilities and limitations under extreme circumstances. Training should be done regularly so that arena staff have been properly prepared for all situations. All staff must be provided with adequate emergency evacuation techniques/training. Skate Patrol must be equipped with flashlights and be trained in basic emergency situation(s) protocol. 14. Application Enforcement of this policy is at the discretion of the Manager of Parks, Recreation and Facilities, or their designate, and staff on duty at the time of the skate. This policy should be reviewed on an as needed basis.