The threat of fines and ice-time reductions has put Blackfalds hockey spitters in their place.
Town council passed a policy on Jan. 12 to address a rash of snuff-spewers and saliva-drippers at Blackfalds Arena.
Sean Barnes, community services director, said the problem has been around for quite a few years, but that the revolting residue was getting more and more widespread in the last two years. Facilities operators had to remove it especially off dressing room floors and walls and off the players’ benches in the boxes.
“We finally said enough’s enough,” said Barnes. “Our community services department had to take a zero-tolerance stance in regards to the spitting. Guys were just making big piles. . . .
“I couldn’t believe some of the messes they were making.”
The older hockey players, men’s league teams, were among those responsible, although there were some younger players at fault too, he said. Kids weren’t the problem, he said, “and it’s not the figure skaters.”
For years, verbal warning after verbal warning was issued, but to no avail. Finally, the issue went to the town’s recreation, culture and parks board, which came up with the policy and handed it to council.
For a first offence, the team responsible owes a $100 cleanup charge. Same goes for the second offence. On the third offence, the team loses ice time.
“It seems to be curbing the problem,” Barnes said, adding that no fines have been levied since the policy was passed.
Barnes said everyone involved treated the matter seriously.
“It’s funny in the sense that you can’t believe they’re doing it,” he said. “You can spit on the ice, you can spit in a garbage can, you can spit in a cup, or whatever else, that’s fine, but just not on our floors. That’s disgusting.”
Barnes said he hopes it never comes to reducing a team’s ice time but said the town will if it has to.
“It’s (the spitters’) facility too, right, and they enjoy it. But they have to respect it, too.”
He added that many players are thankful for the change, after years of dealing with the mess themselves.
mgauk@www.reddeeradvocate.com