Community and Leisure Services submitted a proposal to City Council on December 14 to cap the charges for  Humboldt Minor Hockey and Skate Humboldt to a rate of $100 per hour. The proposal would make the rate caps retroactive to November 2020. 

Since additional restrictions were placed on minor sports gatherings, the two organizations have had to double their ice time to meet the 8 person restriction for continuing practices and training. The extended time requirements were placing a burden on the clubs to be able to provide the necessary ice time for all the interested teams and participants to continue.

In a written submission to council, Community and Leisure Services Director Mike Ulriksen outlined that the request was in line with subsidies that were granted to summer sports such as baseball, softball, and soccer for use of city facilities. 

“The restrictions that came at the end of November further impacted their ability to put people on the ice,” explained Ulriksen to Council. “The restrictions mean they have had to spread out their user groups and give less time to each of their coaches and participants.” 

Ulriksen pointed out that with fewer participants per session, there was a need for fewer flood times between sessions resulting in some savings. In fact, explained Ulriksen, any additional expenses resulting from the rate subsidies would be covered by 2020 and 2021 Sask Lotteries Grants. The reduction represented a 14 percent reduction from the 2020 rates and an 18 percent reduction from the 2021 rates.

Ulriksen stated that the rate reduction would allow local minor organizations to ensure minor sports organizations could continue within the confines of the current health restrictions. City Council approved the recommendation for the subsidy.

While no other groups have approached the City about a subsidy, Community and Leisure Services states that it is in discussions with the Humboldt Curling Club to determine how to proceed given restrictions have suspended its season.