Program Changes due to Covid-19

Covid-19 has affected all of us in many ways.  We hope that you and your families have been well and have weathered this storm in our lives as well as possible.  We know the challenges have been greater for those who had family and friends who were ill, or who were affected in their employment.  We hope that Nova Scotia continues to be one of the safer places to be, and are looking forward to another season of speed skating. 

As our programs continued to be affected by the pandemic, it's important to read the information on this page carefully before registering.

Our Return to Sport plan must take into consideration a number of requirements:


Documents and information relating to these plans are linked above.

See the sections below for information on:
  • Section 1:  Covid-19 requirements that must be observed
  • Section 2:  Impacts on programs
  • Section 3:  Registration for 2021-2022 programs
  • Section 4:  Vaccination requirements

Section 1:  Covid-19 Requirements

Please review the Covid-19 requirements documents above.  These requirements have been put in place for the safety of participants, coaches, staff, and their families and friends.  Failure to adhere to these requirements can put people at risk, and could result in the loss of our ice time.

Following is a summary of some of the key requirements (please read the full text of the Speed Skate Nova Scotia (SSNS) and RBC Centre requirements linked above for additional information):

  • Participants must complete the Covid-19 specific confirmation and consent requirements in the SSNS document linked above, and agree to comply with all Covid-19 requirements.  This will be done as a part of the new online registration process.
  • There will be a Covid-19 screening process each time participants enter the facility.
  • Sharing of equipment will be restricted.
  • Masks must be worn at all times in the building, except when on the ice (with the specific exceptions allowed by the public health authorities).
  • There is no access permitted to the second floor of the RBC Centre.
  • Participants must arrive ready to go on the ice, except for their skates.  They can only enter the arena within 15 minutes before their ice time, and must leave the arena within 15 minutes of leaving the ice.
  • Numbers of participants on the ice are limited to a total of 50 including both coaches and athletes.
  • One adult spectator per skater is permitted, no children.  Spectators must sign in and pass Covid-19 screening.  They will be given access to the facility 5 minutes before the ice time and must exit by 10 minutes after, and must remain within Arena D, there will be no viewing from the corridor or second floor, so dress warm.  Spectators must maintain physical distancing and wear a mask while in the facility.
  • Skaters will be assigned to a cohort that will have a maximum of 10 members, including coaches.  They must remain in this cohort from week to week.  Physical distancing is not required within the cohort.
  • Physical distancing must be maintained between cohorts at all times.
  • Dressing rooms will only be available 15 minutes prior to each rental. No keys will be distributed for dressing rooms.  No showers are permitted.
  • Dressing rooms are limited to a total of 10 persons, and they must be from the same cohort of skaters.  Persons in the dressing rooms to assist skaters with skates and equipment must be counted in this total.
  • Participants must remain in the dressing room until called to go on the ice by their coaches.
  • Players benches are off limits.
  • Only coaches, skaters and staff are allowed to be in the arena during the programs.  Parents or caregivers may enter to tie skates, but must leave when their skater is ready to go on the ice.  No spectators are allowed.

Section 2:  Impacts on Programs

Financial Impacts

Some of the changes due to Covid-19 will have financial impacts.  We know that many families have been affected by layoffs and business closures. 
  • There are a number of areas where we have had to increase fees because of Covid-19 requirements.  If you have concerns about affordability, please contact the club at 902-443-8781 or dcspeedskate@gmail.com to discuss what options may be available.
  • Funding programs like KidSport and Canadian Tire Jumpstart have made changes to their criteria for eligibility to take these impacts into account, so families may be eligible for assistance when they previously wouldn't have been.

Speed Skating Programs

For a full list of programs being offered this fall, please visit the Overview of Programs 2021 page.

Section 3:  Registration for 2021-2022 Programs

Speed Skating Canada has introduced a new registration system, IceReg.  Participants must register online through this system, which is available at this link.  If you wish to register but are not able to complete the online registration, please contact the club at dcspeedskate@gmail.com.

Section 4: Vaccination Requirement - Effective Oct 4, 2021

The provincial health directives concerning Covid 19 protocol for arenas is now available. You will be permitted to enter the RBC Centre with a proof of full vaccination for Covid 19. The RBC Centre has requested we verify the proof of vaccination for all skaters 12 years old and over, parents, volunteers and anyone entering the RBC Centre to view the skaters. We will, therefore, need you to show the certificate of full vaccination with ID at the door or entry to the building. If a certificate cannot be produced, the person will not be allowed inside the RBC Centre. This does not apply to skaters 11 years of age and younger. 

​Please refer to this provincial Health Department Q & A document about Covid 19 vaccination certificate protocol. http://www.sportnovascotia.ca/Portals/0/docs/covid19docs/SportRecProofVaccinationFAQ.pdf