The Soldotna Regional Sports Complex will reopen on Friday with COVID-19 mitigation protocols in place following a 5-1 vote in favor by the Soldotna City Council at their Wednesday meeting.

The complex was most recently closed to the public on Nov. 13 following Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s statewide alert urging Alaskans to be vigilant in helping slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

When the Sports Complex opens on Friday, it will be with some new mitigation guidelines in place as outlined in a memo provided to the council from Soldotna Parks and Recreation Director Andrew Carmichael through Soldotna City Manager Stephanie Queen.

All people entering the complex must wear a mask at all times, even when on the ice and practicing. Spectators will be allowed, but masks must be worn at all times and they must maintain 6 feet of social distancing. Players must come to the rink dressed to play; team rooms will not be open. The complex will be open for practices only, with no games or scrimmages allowed. Contact or checking drills will be limited to ensure social distancing.

The number of people on the ice for U8 and U6 hockey teams will be limited to 44 people total including players, coaches and other adults helpers. Thirty two people will be allowed on the ice for all other hockey team practices. Twenty five skaters will be allowed on the ice for freestyle times.

Hockey organizations using ice time must have a representative present at all team practices to inform and remind players, parents and officials of facility rules, to check players in and to make sure none are symptomatic and to maintain attendance logs and contact information in case it is needed to conduct contact tracing.

According to the same memo, the city met with representatives from the Kenai Peninsula Hockey Association and Hockey Club Alaska on Dec. 10 to discuss the reopening plans. They plan to meet regularly.

In addition to presenting the new reopening plans, the city purchased 350 “hockey-specific face masks” to be worn by athletes. The masks, which are made by CCM, attach to athletes’ helmets and will be offered to players at no cost. Cloth and disposable face masks are acceptable as well.

“Andrew did some research on hockey-specific masks,” Queen said. “He found that CCM makes masks … that attach right to the child’s helmet and face guard and it would make it easier for them to take the sides off, flip the mask up.”

Queen said the city has heard from people who say the hockey-specific masks are more comfortable than other masks because they are held a little bit away from athletes’ faces.

Several amendments to the reopening plans were proposed by council members during the meeting.

Council member Pamela Parker proposed three. The original reopening plans did not allow for spectators in the complex, with some exceptions for U6 and U8 players. Instead, Parker proposed allowing spectators under the condition that masks are worn at all times and social distancing is maintained.

Parker also proposed not requiring masks for people actively exercising and allowing team rooms to be open with masks worn and social distancing. Both amendments were defeated.

“I’m happy that we’re considering this … but my thought is that if we’re going to reopen it we need to do it in a way that not only makes sense for families but is also safe for our community,” Parker said. “I believe that some of the bullet points outlined in the plan just do feel a little challenging for families to conform to.”

The council also received several public comments in support of reopening the sports complex.

“I have a goal to enter the NHL,” wrote Billy Drath, who said he plays on the U12 Ice Hawks. “If you don’t open the rink, I won’t accomplish my goal.”

“I think that the sports complex is a unique place that is large enough for most to socially distance while indoors,” wrote Cheré Avigo. “I believe that with wearing masks, keeping adults and kids spaced while putting on and taking off gear and allowing minimal spectators, we could safely reopen the center without a large threat of spreading COVID.”

The reopening plans as amended were approved by a vote of 5-1 with council member Justin Ruffridge voting in opposition.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.