Waterbury’s indoor and outdoor rinks open with cautions, rules for skaters

January 8, 2020  |  By Lisa Scagliotti

The ice will be ready soon at Anderson Park where a new skater practices in this 2019 file photo by Gordon Miller.

A turn of the calendar and a recent “turn of the spigot” regarding Vermont state COVID-19 restrictions on winter recreation has managers of local indoor and outdoor skating rinks proceeding cautiously this week with opening their ice to the public. 

The Ice Center indoor rink opened Monday with a short list of specific uses that will be allowed based on recent public health guidance. Work also started this week to prep the outdoor skating rink at Waterbury’s Anderson Park near the town pool. And in Duxbury, ice at Crossett Brook Middle School will be ready next week for students during school hours and for the community to use after school and on weekends.    

Late last month, Gov. Phil Scott announced several steps to relax restrictions on school winter sports, organized youth recreation programs and general winter recreation for individuals and families. 

School sports and recreational youth leagues were given a partial green light as of Dec. 26 to begin individual training and non-contact practices. The directive came just as schools were headed into the holiday break and many districts opted to announce they would commence winter trainings in January. For example, student-athletes in the Harwood Union Unified School District, will begin their training activities Monday, Jan. 11. 

Gov. Scott and public health officials also reminded Vermonters that outdoor recreation is still important despite the coronavirus pandemic and that people should continue to get outside for fresh air and exercise. They continue to emphasize the importance for people to follow safe practices around others such as wearing masks, keeping distance and not gathering in groups to mingle or eat and drink without masks. 

No contact, no games on park ice

Waterbury’s town Recreation Director Nick Nadeau said he’s looking forward to getting the ice in for the outdoor rink but it will come with “very strict rules” that are also “very simple rules” that people will be asked to follow. 

“This is for recreation, free skating only. No games. No contact,” he said last week. That means no pick-up hockey or broomball games. 

Nadeau said after taking measurements to calculate capacity, the limit will be 20 skaters on the ice at a time. Also, masks will be required if skaters are from more than one household. 

Highway Department staff have cleared the site this week and were to flood the rink on a cold night with the goal of having it ready for use next week, Nadeau said. Lights will be set to be on for skaters from 5 to 9 p.m. daily and signs explaining the rules will be posted. 

Nadeau cautions that should skaters not follow the rules, the rink will be closed for the rest of the season. “If I get word that there’s a hockey game, we’ll shut it down for the rest of the season,” he said. 

Ice Center opens within limits

With all of this in mind, Ice Center Manager Tim Griffith has updated the website for the indoor rink and he took to social media to explain the new rules there. 

For the time being, there will be no general public skating or adult recreational hockey activity. The facility can book ice time for rent for just four types of uses youth hockey and school hockey team non-contact practices only with no more than 25 skaters; private group rentals for individuals from single households up to 10 people; small-group instruction, such as figure skating, power skating, goalie training and individual drills with a 10-person limit.

The rink’s policies regarding waivers and following state guidelines are on its website, icecenter.org. Griffith encourages people to contact him with questions and acknowledged that the circumstances are frustrating to those hoping to take part in their favorite activities on the ice. “While we remain hopeful to reopen to full operation, our number-one goal right now is to operate the best we can while keeping everyone as safe as possible,” he said. 

Community welcome at CBMS ice after school

Over at Crossett Brook Middle School in Duxbury, school staff have put in ice for students to use during school hours. Principal Tom Drake said that starting Monday, Jan. 11, the community is welcome to use the outdoor rink after 2:30 p.m. on weekdays until dark, and during daylight hours on weekends. 

Other rules will be similar to the Anderson Park rink: free skating only, and masks required anytime individuals from more than just one household are on the ice. Because it’s a small space, Drake asks that skaters limit use to no more than eight at a time. 

And of course, use is dependent on weather conditions. If you see "stay off the ice" signs posted, please respect that, Drake said.