SENATORS WANT FANS TO TAKE THEIR BEST SHOT
Full vaccination likely to be required to get into the rink
Fans wanting to see the Ottawa Senators take slapshots at Canadian Tire Centre this season will likely need to be fully vaccinated to do so.
While the Senators are still putting the finishing touches on their policy for fans in the stands during the 2021-21 campaign — and should have something in place sometime next week — the expectation is the organization will only welcome spectators that have received two shots of the COVID -19 vaccine.
Though Senators owner Eugene Melnyk and president of business operations Anthony LeBlanc are still waiting for word from the province on how many fans will be able to sit in the 18,153-seat building when they start the exhibition schedule next month, there is little chance anybody who hasn’t received their double dose will be able to get into the rink.
Melnyk has stated several times during the pandemic that he has no appetite whatsoever to hold a “superspreader event” and that’s why it is expected the Senators will have the right measures in place to make sure they have as safe an atmosphere as possible at the rink when the pre-season schedule gets under way in late-September.
The Senators have installed a $10-million ventilation system at CTC to improve the air flow in the rink. Hand sanitizer dispensers will be in place near every section.
Also expect to have to wear a mask if you’re going to attend a game, a policy that just falls in line with standards across the province for people who are indoors at public places. The rise of the Delta variant means public health measures must remain in place and there is no sign that will change anytime soon.
Earlier this week, Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment confirmed it will make proof of vaccination or a negative COVID -19 test mandatory for all its employees, events and ticket buyers starting in mid-September. MLSE owns the Toronto Maple Leafs, the CFL’s Toronto Argos and Toronto FC of MLS.
The Senators and Leafs have been working with the province to determine what percentage of fans they’ll be able to have in their buildings when the season gets under way in mid-October. All the pro teams in Ontario held a technical briefing with the province last week and were told as long as certain thresholds were met, they’d be able to hold games in their facilities at close to capacity.
Dr. Kieran Moore, the chief medical officer of Ontario, joined The Morning Rush with Bill Carroll on CFRA Thursday and did confirm there will be fans in the seats if all the right measures are put into place by the NHL teams.
“That type of policy (vaccination or testing) is going to best protect those people who go to mass gatherings where you have 15-to-20,000 people in a room,” Moore told Carroll. “It will limit the spread of Delta, plus masking, and those types of best practices will help as we work with them to review to see how they can best protect their clients, their workers and the players themselves.
“We’re willing to work with them because we want them to succeed as well,” he continued.
Moore added that full arenas and stadiums “are possible if you have the proper protections through immunizations, which is my preference, or you have a recent test to show you’re not carrying the virus.”
Across the country, decisions on a policy are being made on a team-by-team basis.
A spokesperson for the CFL’s Redblacks, who face the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday night in Regina after a bye week, indicated Friday they would announce its policy for TD Place Stadium sometime next week.
Given that Moore has stated more fans will be allowed if the proper restrictions are in place, then the Redblacks will likely fall in line with what the rest of the teams in Ontario are doing.
Outdoor events in Ontario are capped at 15,000, which is why the Redblacks, Argos and Hamilton Tiger Cats have started their seasons on the road in the West in hopes that restrictions will be lifted by the time they will play a majority of their home games.
The Ontario Hockey League confirmed Friday that employees of its member clubs and fans attending games will have to be fully vaccinated.
And of course, the Ottawa 67’s, which are owned by the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group along with the Redblacks, will also have to go along with that policy.
The OHL has already stated all its players must be fully vaccinated to suit up this season.
“The league will be expanding its current vaccination policy which applies to members of the OHL community,” the league said in a statement. “This expanded policy will cover all spectators and other attendees at all OHL events, including games and practices.
“Those wishing to gain access to OHL facilities of the 17 Ontario based teams will be required to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID -19 and follow any other safety protocols while in the facility. Children under 12 will be required to be accompanied and supervised by a fully vaccinated adult and will be required to follow all safety protocols.”