Burnaby, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 18, 2020) - Canlan Ice Sports Corp. (TSX: ICE) (the "Company") is pleased to announce plans to reopen its recreation facilities.
Beginning the week of June 15, 2020, ice rink facilities in British Columbia will open selected ice surfaces for user group rentals. Subsequently, facilities across Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Illinois will gradually reopen selected ice rinks and other sport surfaces on a systematic basis in the coming weeks. Capacity restored upon reopening will be approximately 50% depending on demand and public health guidelines in the local market. Facility restaurants and retail stores will remain closed in the near-term until further notice.
In addition, the Company plans to operate its world-class hockey leagues beginning in July 2020 with a new 4-on-4 format in both the Adult Safe Hockey League and Youth Hockey League. The fresh format and game rules have been designed to be simple, but effective in creating more space, minimal incidental contact, more puck touches, and more opportunities for player creativity. More details can be found by visiting: https://www.IceSports.com/itsplaytime/
Aside from new game formats, the Company's reopen-plans incorporate industry-leading health and safety measures that are part of each step of the guest-experience, including:
- facility zoning;
- guest screening procedures;
- directed entry and exit ways;
- use of additional dressing rooms to maximize physical distancing;
- rigorous sanitization procedures and use of personal protective equipment;
- enhanced regulations and measures regarding players' distancing, use of dressing rooms, and hydration stations; and
- the addition of Zone Attendants and Health & Safety Ambassadors on staff to ensure compliance with safety measures.
"I am very excited that we can resume operations on a limited basis with the highest standard of safety protocols in place to continue to service our communities' while endeavoring to ensure the health and safety of our guests," said Canlan's CEO, Joey St-Aubin. "The tremendous work of the Canlan team, plus the contributions of our business partners such as Bauer Hockey, have culminated in our ability to establish exposure control plans and game-play that have been shared with regional health and occupational standard authorities, sport authorities, and industry leaders in the game of hockey. The last three months have been long with little recreation and we're happy to be able to provide a safe place for people to resume an active lifestyle."
"We are proud to partner with Canlan in prioritizing a safe return to play for all members of our hockey community. We believe in all hockey has to offer kids in terms of learning valuable life lessons, building character and developing lifelong friendships. That is why we are extremely excited to offer a safe path to re-start our great game," added Mary-Kay Messier, Vice President of Global Marketing, Bauer Hockey.
"As we now focus on operations, we'd like to once again thank our employees for their patience during the closures, and their amazing work now to reopen our facilities. To our guests, we appreciate your continued business and patience in working with us while we restore operations. In addition, we want to thank all of Canlan's suppliers and business partners for helping us navigate through this period," said Mr. St-Aubin.
Canlan will continue to monitor the status of the Coronavirus pandemic in the regions in which it operates and may adjust its reopening plans according to local health regulations and market demand.
About Canlan
Canlan Ice Sports Corp. is the North American leader in the development, operations and ownership of multi-purpose recreation and entertainment facilities. We are the largest private sector owner and operator of recreation facilities in North America and currently own, lease and/or manage 18 facilities in Canada and the United States with 49 ice surfaces, as well as five indoor soccer fields, and 15 sport, volleyball, and basketball courts. To learn more about Canlan please visit www.icesports.com.
Canlan Ice Sports Corp. is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "ICE."
Caution concerning forward-looking statements
Certain statements in this News Release may constitute 'forward looking' statements which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. When used in this News Release, such statements may use such words as 'may', 'will', 'expect', 'believe', 'plan' and other similar terminology. Forward looking statements in this news release include the Company's current plans to reopen its facilities. These statements reflect management's current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this News Release. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or underlying such forward looking statements are the effects of, as well as changes in: the progression of the current Coronavirus pandemic, international, national and local business and economic conditions; political or economic instability in the Company's markets; competition; legislation and governmental regulation; and accounting policies and practices. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.
For more information:
Canlan Ice Sports Corp.
Ivan Wu
CFO
604 736 9152
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/58170
