Safety first in Rankin
Upwards of 300 may be turned away from hockey games
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
RANKIN INLET
There will be a lot more elbow room at hockey games during the remainder of tournament season in Rankin Inlet this season.
SAO Justin Merritt mans the phones to help ensure people are aware of the hamlet's move to strictly enforce the 503person capacity at the Rankin Inlet arena during the Polar Bear Plate hockey tournament in Rankin this past weekend. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
The hamlet has decided to strictly enforce the arena's fan capacity of 503 people.
Senior administrative officer (SAO) Justin Merritt said some backlash is expected from local fans, many angry over the fact such a hockey hotbed as Rankin shouldn't have to make do with such an old arena for another two or three years to begin with.
But, he said the move to enforce the building's capacity really should have been made years ago.
"Just as I took over as SAO awhile back, we had a request from Angela Dale to host some events in the curling lounge," said Merritt.
"Council asked our rec co-ordinator, David Clark, to get the capacity number on the curling lounge, and I asked him to get the rest on the arena and community hall while he was at it.
"I brought the numbers, which were updated a few years ago when we modified the stands, to Mayor Robert Janes and we have to enforce them.
"So, for people going through the main doors and sitting in the stands for hockey games, the number will be enforced at 503."
Merritt said it's understandable some people may be upset by the move, as the capacity has never been enforced as far as he can recall.
He said the move was never at any time initiated by the fire marshal's office.
"I took the numbers to hamlet council and said we should be enforcing this and council agreed with me.
"We're probably cutting down the number of fans at the bigger games in the Polar Bear Plate and the Avataq Cup by about 300 or more.
"But, at the end of the day, it's being done in the name of safety.
"It's just not safe having more than 800 people in a building with a listed capacity of 503."
Merritt said day passes were given a try for the Polar Bear Plate this past weekend, and he should have a good picture of how that worked by the end of the week.
He said 503 passes were made available to the public each day of the tournament.
"We want to be fair to everyone, so far as everyone having a fair chance to get passes for the games.
"Even people coming into town for the event should have just as much chance as anyone else in the town to get a pass each day.
"The passes will be checked as people leave the arena, as well, so no one can buy two or three passes and then go and give them to someone else.
"I'm not saying one or two people won't slip in, but we're going to try to make it as safe as possible."
