Ice ads went down at the Northern Lights Palace on Monday. (submitted photo/Jaret Schneider)

By Mat Barrett

Ice in Melfort

Northern Lights Palace to be ready for skating Aug. 17

Aug 13, 2020 | 12:47 PM

Hockey and skating season is getting closer in Melfort… sort of.

Ice is currently going in at the Northern Lights Palace, with a plan to have it ready for use for Aug. 17 when the first rental of the season is. Mayor Rick Lang said it’s nice to see their facilities get some use again.

“We build them so people can use them,” he said.

Facilities Manager Leonard said it’s just another step in the right direction when it comes to getting things open again.

“Of course we have guidelines that we’re still adhering to, to make that happen,” Whitney said. “But it’s progress.”

SJHL POTW

Mustang, Hawk, Bronco honoured in SJHL Players of the Week awards

40m ago

Local break-ins

Melfort RCMP seeking suspects after break-ins

41m ago

Goudy discusses new role

Melfort MLA Todd Goudy enjoys first week as Speaker

1h ago

(submitted photo/Jaret Schneider)

Lines for the ice went down on Monday, and ice ads, including the Melfort Mustangs logo were also installed. Now it’s just a matter of flooding the ice surface to make sure it gets to the right thickness for skating.

Three weeks worth of hockey camps are the first group to have some rentals at the Northern Lights Palace, and then figure skating is expected to start up. After that, there are still some questions around what else could be in the palace in September, and even into October. Multiple reports have noted the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) has pushed back its tentative start date to Oct. 9, and Melfort Minor Hockey remains in limbo with the Saskatchewan Hockey Association (SHA) and the Saskatchewan Health Authority, as does the SJHL.

The Melfort Mustangs logo sits at centre ice in the Northern Lights Palace, but it’s still unknown as to when the SJHL may begin. (submitted photo/Jaret Schneider)

(submitted photo/Jaret Schneider)

“We’re a little concerned about that, but we’re confident that both Melfort Minor Hockey and the SJHL will get going,” Whitney told northeastNOW. “So, we might have a little bit of down time, and that just gives an opportunity for other people to rent the ice if they’re looking to get some skating in.”

Anyone who plans to rent the ice must have an operational plan and must follow all of the COVID-19 guidelines set out. Whitney said they have prepared the rink to adhere to those protocols including signage around the rink and on entrances and exits, numerous sanitation stations around the facility, and not allowing spectators in the stands.

–

mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6