The Portage Skating Club is following suit with the PMHA and will not be returning to the ice this season.

The board met Friday and came to the conclusion that there were too many unknown factors to keep going and holding out hope. President Carrie Braden says they came to a unanimous decision but it was still a tough one to make. 

“It wasn’t an easy decision to come to. We just felt the quality of the program was one that was going to suffer,” says Braden. “We’re a part of Skate Canada. Skate Canada lays out guidelines as to how many lessons are appropriate to give a good and quality program. So, that factored in as well.”

Braden says despite the unfortunate situation, she is thankful for what they were able to do this past season and is hopeful for the next one.

“We were actually one of the first programs to be able to return to play last year. We were actually back on the ice in July of last year,” says Braden. “With those (same) protocols in place, hopefully, we’ll be able to get back on the ice sooner next year as well.”

She notes families will get refunds for the time that was missed this past year. The Portage Skating Club for a fresh start in their 2021-22 campaign.