Easing of capacity limits a relief for sports organizer

 In Sports

The easing of capacity limits at select venues, including Clearview’s arenas is welcome news to Creemore Coyotes founder Tom Macham.
It means he will be able to fill the Creemore Arena bleachers to capacity (440-480) at this Saturday’s home opener for the new Senior AA hockey team.
On Thursday, Macham was anxiously awaiting confirmation on audience capacity limits, hoping for some good news in time for this Saturday’s home opener.
The economics of the team rely on a high number of ticket sales, which cannot be achieved if capacity is limited to 50 per cent.
“It’s terrific,” said Macham. “There are no words to describe what a relief this is. This will really help the team.”
Communications from the province say that effective Oct. 9, capacity limits will be lifted to allow 100 per cent capacity in settings including concert venues, theatres and cinemas; and spectator areas of facilities for sports and recreational fitness (would not include gyms, personal training), where proof of vaccination is required.
The reasoning is that there has been a limited number of outbreaks in these settings.
Other public health and workplace safety measures continue to remain in effect for these settings including face coverings, screening and the collecting of patron information to support contact tracing.
The province announced, in settings where capacity limits have been lifted, the requirement for individuals to maintain two metres of physical distancing are being removed, with limited exceptions.
Since the proof of vaccination requirement went into effect, the province says it has reached two key milestones in its COVID-19 response, with more than 86.8 per cent of individuals aged 12 and over vaccinated with at least a first dose and more than 81.9 per cent with two doses. The majority of new cases continue to be among the unvaccinated.
“I am thankful for the continued efforts of Ontarians getting vaccinated and following public health measures and advice as we have continued to cautiously and gradually reopen the province. Our public health and health care indicators are continuing to trend in the right direction, and we are able to lift additional restrictions,” said Dr. Kieran Moore, provincial Chief Medical Officer of Health. “However, now is not the time to let our guard down. We must all continue doing our part and continue strictly following the measures that remain in place and get as many people as we can fully vaccinated, especially as we enter the holiday season.”
Capacity limits will continue to remain in effect in all other remaining settings at this time. The Chief Medical Officer of Health and the government will continue to review data and trends in key public health and health care indicators to determine the necessary and appropriate measures to protect the health and safety of Ontarians.
This Saturday’s game is set to start at 7:30 p.m. with a puck drop ceremony, with the honour going to team supporter Bill Redrupp.
Admission fees are: Adults, $10; Seniors 65 and older, $8; Students, $6; Youth 12 and under, $5. Break at the Gate program offers a $2 discount on ticket price for those who visit a local participating restaurant on game day. Just ask for a stamp on the receipt and present it at the gate.
The Creemore Legion will act as a booster club for the Coyotes, opening the bar for home games and welcoming spectators before, during, and after the game.
All attendees must show proof of vaccine and comply with all health regulations in place at the time, whatever they may be.

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