KMHA Returns to the Ice:
Submitted By KMHA on Wednesday, February 10, 2021
A message from the KMHA President
Good afternoon KMHA Family.
With the Provincial
announcements made Monday regarding the pending cessation to the state of
emergency, and the return to the Colour coded framework sometime next week; KMHA is prepared and eager. We are working
with the City of Kitchener to return to the ice on Tuesday Feb 16th.
This return is dependant upon the provincial decision to return Waterloo Region
to Red or better under the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework.
At this time KMHA and its partners will know what level we are returning to at the same time you do when a public announcement is made. Schedules have been tentatively entered into our website and coaches will be made aware of their times so they can plan. The schedules will not be made public until all communications from government have occurred and we are sure we are compliant with all restrictions. Please keep an eye on the schedules.
We are being told a decision regarding the colour code we return to will be made by the Province in consultation with local public health units and will be the decision that puts our community in the best position to combat COVID 19 and its various strains.
For further information please visit the Provincial Data website at All Ontario: Case numbers and spread | COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Ontario regarding how decisions are made.
KMHA understands that this has been a season like no other and that things are constantly changing. We remind you that we are here to help you get your kids on the ice, to keep them physically active in a game and environment they love and to remain fluid so we can keep them safe. We ask and thank you for doing the same. Your efforts and those of your children are second to none and demonstrate why Hockey people are the best people.
At all colour levels, age categories and skill levels KMHA expects that players will still be limited to participation within a 50-player bubble and that players may only participate in one bubble at a time. Players will continue to be expected to maintain physical distancing as they have all season.
KMHA will return all its programs to the ice concurrently based upon the day of their participation. Meaning Boys, Girls, Rep, House League, Local League, and Ice pirates will return as close to their regular schedules as we are able. No independent program will be given priority over another upon our return and within the guidelines.
Regarding the hockey that has been paid for. It is KMHA’s intent to return to the point in the season that we were at when we ceased. This means if you were at week 1 of Period 2 you will return to Week 1 of period 2, if your team was at week 6 of period 2 you will return to that point of the period. KMHA will notify each level of programming (through the coaches) where they were in their period when we broke before Christmas.
Coaches and volunteers, please be prepared to start and look for a communication from the office tomorrow regarding your ice times. KMHA is trying to maintain our schedules as they were before however the ice available upon our return will determine that position.
We look forward to the safe opening of Hockey opportunities and we will continue to work to keep our players, volunteers, and community safe as we progress through this Hockey Season.
If you are seeking a reminder or further information regarding what the restrictions at each colour code level are, you can find them on the following provincial website. COVID-19 response framework: keeping Ontario safe and open | Ontario.ca
Thank You
Randy McCarten
President, Kitchener Minor Hockey Association.