A socially distanced sit-in will be taking place in front of City Hall before Monday’s council meeting, as a chance for ice rink user groups to show their frustration with the arena closures.
In a report to Prince George City Council, City staff recommend the arenas and pools remain closed for the remainder of this year and next in an effort to offset costs incurred by COVID-19 closures.
The event asks hockey, ringette, figure skating, can skate, power skating, and speed skating groups to participate in the sit-in.
“My first thought was the kids are the ones paying the price,” said Jess Derksen, the event organizer.
“For starters, my son heavily relies on all sorts of sports. So his mental health took a nosedive with COVID and then his inability to play sports. He relies on it for his mental health and behavior purposes,” she explained.
Derksen is worried the decision to keep the arenas closed will be detrimental to youth mental health, adding many organized sports teams double as social groups, and even support systems.
“They become like family, where you have these interdependent relationships where kids are learning social skills at a fundamental time in their life,” she explains.
Derksen is aware of the financial concerns surrounding the reopening of arenas with the 50 person limit but points out many user groups have less than 50 members and staff.
“They are concerned about the income that is going to come in from sporting events. Where we are talking is opening the arenas to youth organizations where there would be under 50 people, and the ice time and management of the arena would be paid for by these user groups who could stay under 50 people,” she explained.
Derksen’s son, Kohl, plays football, hockey, volleyball, and basketball, relying heavily on each sport for social interaction, mental health, and physical activity.
“It makes it so that I’m always losing track of time. When I have sports, it’s like ‘Oh I have football today. Oh! I have hockey tomorrow.’ It keeps me on schedule,” he said.
“(I have been feeling) confused, and upset. I don’t understand any of it,” Kohl explains. “I just hope they give us a chance and at least consider it.”
The sit-in will take place in front of city hall from 4 pm- 7 pm.
Participants are required to socially distance and are asked to wear masks.
“We are looking to encourage our kids that need the ice open to make an impact and teach them responsible citizenship while making sure we are safe about this,” the event says.