Less than two weeks after issuing layoff notices to arena staff at the South River Machar Community Centre and Arena, South River is cancelling the notices.
The layoff notices first went out Jan. 14 and notice to rescind them went out Tuesday following Monday night’s regular meeting of council.
Council’s decision is based on the Ontario government's move to begin reopening the province in stages beginning Friday, after COVID triggered a lockdown several weeks ago.
Part of the reopening includes arenas, which can operate at 50 per cent capacity.
South River clerk administrator Don McArthur says the arena staff has already been in contact with all the user groups.
At the moment there's a bit of hesitation from minor hockey on whether to resume play.
But McArthur explained to council it's because the local organization “is waiting for direction from the Ontario Minor Hockey Association but (the locals) are optimistic they'll be back to business as usual next week.”
With the layoff notices being lifted and the arena primed to receive participants once again, McArthur says the facility will be able to operate an eight-week schedule to the end of March.
He pointed out this matches up well with a junior hockey tournament the Almaguin Spartans were planning to hold near the end of March.
McArthur says the 50 per cent capacity limit “may be challenging for the Spartans but they are prepared to work within the rules.”
Curling is also expected to resume at the local curling club with re-openings less than a week away.
However, Coun. Bill O'Hallarn, who is also president of the South River Curling Club, wasn't quite sure how the 50 per cent capacity rule applies to curling, considering the sport already involves a small number of players.
“The announcement was ambivalent so we're going to get more detailed information,” O'Hallarn said.
“I'm not sure what we could do at 50 per cent capacity, but we'll get it sorted out. The (provincial) announcement was not 100 per cent clear. We're hoping to go ahead on the 31st. But there are no guarantees and it's not written in stone. But we'll make sure the health unit is on-side.”
O'Hallarn told his council colleagues that other area curling clubs are also planning to begin playing again on Jan. 31.
Rocco Frangione is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the North Bay Nugget. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
