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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, A ug us t 27 ,2 02 0 | 8 Creating great smiles New Patients Welcome Family and Cosmetic Dentistry marketplace Dental Centre Georgetown Marketplace Mall 905-877-CARE (2273) • www.georgetowndental.com HOURS: Monday & Wednesday 8:00am - 8:00pm • Tuesday & Thursday 8:00am - 6:00pm • Saturday 8:00am - 3:00pm Proudly Serving Georgetown Since 1994. Reopening schools safelymatters to everyone That's why the government of Ontario has worked with health officials, school boards and educators to develop a comprehensive plan to keep kids and staff safe. • Physical distancing measures will be implemented such as desk separation, signs, floor markings and one-way hallways. • Face coveringswill be required for staff and students in Grades 4-12. • Hand hygienewill be enabled with hand sanitizer and hand washing. • More nurseswill be in schools. • School cleaningwill be enhanced. Paid for by the Government of Ontario Visit ontario.ca/ReopeningSchools returning for the leagues stage one as of Sept. 21. In a more normal year, between 1,200 and 1,500 players register with Hal- ton Hills Minor Hockey for the season. "We're almost at capaci- ty for registration," said Brenda Geim, vice presi- dent of rep hockey for the association. Her 17-year-old son is enrolled for what will be his final season of minor hockey. The fewer available spots coincide with fewer ice pads available through the Town, that's working with HHMH to prepare for the coming season. Generally, minor hock- ey spans six ice pads at Mold-Masters Sportsplex. This year, the organization will have access to two. Stage two, anticipated in October, will welcome back more players including league play. Changes to the season include a shift to four-on- four hockey instead of typ- ical five-on-five play. Leagues will be limited to 50 players, nine skaters and one goalie, with a cap of five teams. "You form a rivalry with teams," Matt Kelly, 16, said. "We want to beat Brampton and Milton every time." For the time being, there will be no travel for teams nor tryouts. Social distanc- ing will also be maintained on the ice. "Contact has been in- grained in how we play," Kelly said, "it'll be tougher to play without it but we'll adapt to get back on the ice." While the restrictions are constantly changing, there's hope for players. "As we move through the season, and based on the Ontario government and COVID-19 trends, we are hopeful that we will be able to increase the pro- gramming to travel limited to our public health unit," Geim said, "For now, we are actively working on a plan to welcome back our play- ers with safety at the top of the list." Last season, the Town issued refunds for lost ice time after the COVID-19 pandemic closed down fa- cilities at the beginning of March. Most players re- ceived refunds for ice time they wouldn't be able to en- joy, after the Town refund- ed the association once fa- cilities were closed. For Jake Kelly, 18, his fi- nal season was cut short during a Tri-county cham- pionship final against Erin. "We came off the ice and found out we were done," Kelly said, recounting a loss in the first of three games for the champion- ship. "I would have liked to have gone out in a blaze of glory, winning the champi- onship." While fees to play are typically several hundred dollars, more for rep league players, the organization has pushed off collection of fees. Right now, Geim said, the fee to register is $105 per player. STORY BEHIND THE STORY: Minor hockey is set to resume this fall in Halton Hills, but players can expect some major changes when they hit the ice. NEWS Continued from page 1 FEWER TEAMS, 4-ON-4 PLAY AMONG CHANGES "We came off the ice and found out we were done. I would have liked to have gone out in a blaze of glory, winning the championship." - Jake Kelly