As Michael has indicated in the Chairman statement, there has been lots going on behind the scenes to prepare to re-open safely. The Directors have been working collaboratively, drawing on each other’s expertise, preparing plans and developing solutions to satisfy forever changing guidelines. These plans are now being implemented or at an advanced stage. Everything being done is designed to ultimately keep us safe and I am hugely appreciative of their support.

I’d like to share with you the key measures being put in place to be ready for re-opening.

• Back in July, Law at Work (LAW) our Human Resource and Health and Safety partner conducted a COVID-19 audit and provided a Risk assessment based on their findings
• We have arranged for LAW to return before we re-open to re-audit our processes and to sign off to say they are satisfied with all aspects of our COVID-19 Health and Safety
• Staff are to be trained and rehearsed on the new COVID-19 Health, safety and Hygiene requirements
• The Centre has taken delivery of all necessary PPE, gels, sanitisers and the like as well as two foggers. Notices, sanitizing stations and the like are ready to be installed.
• Once we have everything set up then we are to prepare video/s to walk through the Centre to help you familiarise yourselves with the requirements before you arrive at the Centre. These video/s will explain, what to wear when you arrive, how to enter the building, where you can expect to find hygiene stations, protocols around face coverings, hand washing and safe distancing, the one way system as well as individual instruction for each sport to mention but a few
• Full guidelines with be posted to our website and social media channels
• Before we re-open we plan to have an open day where clubs and/or individuals can have a walk through for further peace of mind. Information will be circulated in due course about how times can be booked to avoid groups
• To avoid bottle necks at touch points and cash handling we are exploring options for pre-booking and prepayments on-line and we are hopeful we can have these up and running before we re-open. Guidance will be provided when the time comes
• This week there are engineers altering our dehumidifier and adding fresh ducting to improve the air flow in the ice arena to meet strict standards. Additional fans have been purchased to provide additional air movement capacity and once the works are completed, testing of the Ice Centre will be undertaken. These will be retained alongside our other risk assessments
• Over and above all the additional cleaning, “sorting and shining” being done, a “deep clean” has been booked with Rentokil for as near to our re-opening date as possible
• As indicated, it’s a forever changing landscape and the Board’s decision making requires to be nimble and responsive. To give an example the First Minister announcement of only yesterday, the 10th of September, has had immediate implications for the Centre. The Board met last night to discuss how we would best mitigate these changes. The outcome being the re-opening will have to take a phased approach with reduced sports capacity and the potential to re-opening for ice activities whilst the bar and café remaining closed at the outset.

I trust these proactive measures provide reassurance and confidence that it’s safe to return to the Ice Centre. Watch out for regular updates, these will contain important information and instruction.

I am eagerly looking forward to reopening and having the opportunity to see you all at the Rink once again.

Gordon Y Barron

Chief Executive, Inverness Ice Centre