Keeping North Shore Rinks Reopened A Collective Task

PEABODY, MA — The locks were lifted from the James McVann-Louis O'Keefe Memorial Skating Rink this weekend after a two-week, state-mandated shutdown because of coronavirus cases traced back to ice hockey and hockey-related gatherings.

Paul LoGiudice, and his fellow rink managers, are now going to need the help of coaches, parents and players to make sure the doors stay open — with behavior off the ice perhaps as important as protocols on the ice when it comes to keeping cases in check.

New guidelines for inside the rink include wearing a face covering at all times — even when playing — new contact tracing measures and the assurance that only teams from Massachusetts are allowed to play. Showers remain off limits, there are one-way entrances and exits and locker rooms are used only to allow for social distancing during crossover periods between games and practices.

But while LoGiudice said he does not believe the Peabody rink has had a single case of coronavirus traced back to competitions within its walls, social gatherings before and after games among players and parents appear to have been among the biggest culprits in the hockey-related outbreaks.

"The state came out and said we would rather not see parents congregate in the parking lot and tailgating," LoGiudice said. "Try to keep the kids separated when they are not playing. I know it goes on. I can't say it doesn't happen here even though I haven't seen it here.

"If everybody does their part it will work but the kids need guidance. There is more responsibility on the parents and coaches than there has ever been. They need to step up and show a good example to help out the facilities. The facilities need them."

LoGiudice said that while a similar moratorium on hockey in New Hampshire gave a hint that something may be coming down the line, it was still "a shock" when he was told two weeks ago that he needed to shut down for two weeks with just over 24 hours notice.

This past Thursday, he said he got word that the state was keeping its word to keep the shutdown to two weeks while additional safely measures were determined, and that he and his staff worked throughout Friday to have everything in place to reopen on Saturday.

"I have extra staff working, cleaning and wiping surfaces all week long," he said. "Generally, everybody is trying to do what's right — at least in this facility.

"I believe this rink is safe. I feel safer here than going to the gym."

The full slate of updated rules can be found here.

"While some of these rules and guidelines are not ideal, we ask that EVERYONE does their part and follows all these policies to ensure that hockey can continue!" Salem-Swampscott Youth Hockey posted on social media.

Still, it wasn't all good news last week for LoGiudice with Gov. Charlie Baker's new "Stay At Home Advisory" closing most business at 9:30 p.m. so everyone can be home for the 10 p.m. statewide curfew. LoGiudice said that meant canceling two adult leagues that skated at 9 and 10 p.m. — costing the rink $2,600 a week in revenue, and costing those teams a season.

"I can't kick people out of the spots these leagues used to have because their spot is not available anymore," he said. "I have no room for them. It's tough on a self-sustaining rink like us. It's going to be tough to pass the next budget."

He said he also felt bad for the figure skaters who lost out on their ice time for two weeks because some hockey teams across the state were undisciplined.

"Figure skaters are the ones who took the worst of it they didn't deserve," he said. "They were all very aware of what's going on. They always have their masks on, but they paid the price too."

With high school hockey season scheduled to begin practices in three weeks — the rink hosts practices and games for Peabody, Bishop Fenwick and Lynnfield boys and girls teams — the hope is the new protocols and increased vigilance will allow the rinks to stay open through the winter.

"It's always a shock when you have to lock up a facility," LoGiudice said. "We have employees here too. It's difficult. But we're going to do what we have to do.

"We'll do whatever we can to let the kids play."

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