The Douglas N. Everett Arena will be reopening on October 30 to contracted hockey groups after a two-week suspension of all ice activities per advisement of the State of New Hampshire's COVID-19 reopening task force. Public ice skating and stick practice will return on November 2. New COVID-19 guidelines are in place for hockey, stick practice, and public skating.
The reopening task force published new guidelines on October 24 for hockey and indoor ice arenas. The biggest update includes the requirement for all rink staff, volunteers, coaches/staff, referees, and athletes (youth and adult leagues) to be tested at least once for COVID-19 prior to November 6, 2020. The test should be performed after the 2-week pause (October 15) and can either be PCR or Antigen based (rapid test). Test results must be provided to the hockey program on or before November 6 with a copy being kept by the program for 30 days. A person is exempt if they have previously tested positive for COVID-19 in the three months prior to October 15 with a virus-specific test used to diagnose active infection (PCR or antigen based test).
Further advisement from the State of New Hampshire’s Attorney General’s Office on October 28 included testing requirements for all individuals who participated in activities on the ice prior to October 15, which includes public ice skating and stick practice. A negative COVID-19 test is required on or before November 6. Any person, team, or program that starts an activity for the first time this year after October 30 is not required to have COVID-19 testing.
The use of masks or facial coverings has already been a requirement at the Everett Arena when inside the building. However, a new requirement now includes the use of masks while on the ice during public ice skating and stick practice. Masks are not required for hockey while actively engaged in athletics on the ice, although it is recommended.
All Everett Arena visitors and staff will be required to complete a COVID-19 screening in the main entrance lobby. A new screening kiosk has been installed that uses touchless mobile technology to guide guests through a COVID-19 risk assessment. The new screening process includes scanning a QR code at the arena on your phone, filling out a quick questionnaire, and using a unique QR code that is then generated on your phone to scan at the kiosk to log your visit. The QR code is time sensitive and will expire after 1 day. Once the code is scanned, visitors will use the hands free thermometer to scan their wrist or forehead for a temperature screening. Paper forms will be available as a backup if a visitor does not have access to a phone or if there are any issues with the kiosk.
Other guidelines at the arena remain in place, including one-way traffic throughout the facility and on the ice, only unlocking building doors 15 minutes prior to events, reducing public skating to 50% occupancy or less, and limiting spectating to immediate family only. Siblings must stay with a parent at all times or the group will be asked to leave.
There have not been any known COVID-19 cases linked to the Everett Arena. The Everett Arena has been exceeding all guidelines for cleaning and sanitization, has had extra precautions in place for increased air filtration, and continues to provide hand sanitizer throughout the facility.
Public ice skating hours will be reduced on Sundays to 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to allow extra time for cleaning between events. Skating hours remain unchanged for Monday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Admission is $6 for ages 14 and up and $5 for ages 13 and below. Skate rentals are available in the Pro Shop for $5. Skate rentals will continue to be thoroughly disinfected after each use.
Adult Stick Practice (ages 14 and up) hours will resume Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Additional hours are available Monday through Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. through November 25th. Helmet and gloves are required. Youth Stick Practice (ages 13 and below) hours are Fridays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. through November 27th. Full equipment is required. Admission for adult and youth stick practice is $10.
Find full COVID-19 guidelines and more information about programs at the Everett Arena at concordnh.gov/arena.