The ice is being taken out early at the Kenora Rec. Center arenas and the Keewatin Memorial Arena.
The City sent a letter to local user groups about the decision.
Mayor Dan Reynard says realistically, the rinks haven’t been used before Christmas because of the lockdown.
“It’s getting to the point where if you haven’t played hockey for two months…the average young person…some will miss it, some won’t,” explains Reynard.
“We getting to the point where traditionally the ice comes out. So this year it would be the first week (after) Easter. Its always the North American First Nations Tournament that we keep the ice in for.”
The letter goes on to say the ice at the Thistle Rink will be removed immediately so the Rec. Center can be used for a mass COVID-19 vaccination centre.
