Cony High School Loosens Covid Restrictions For Hockey Spectators
By Saber Hanington
On Monday, February 14th a new set of restrictions came into effect for Cony Hockey spectators. The new restrictions lift all limits, besides facial coverings, for Cony Hockey spectators and Cony families, as long as the total number of people inside the arena stay underneath half of its full capacity. Visiting teams are limited to four guests per player, and are also required to wear facial coverings, says Mr. Millet (A.D.) The Bank of Maine Ice Vault arena has a capacity of 750 people, according to General Manager Bill Boardmen, giving the arena a 375 person half capacity limit.
For the majority of the 2021-2022 hockey season, Cony players were limited to four people per player and no away fans were allowed to spectate. Until the 31st of December when Superintendent Mr. Anastasio lifted limits for home fans and students, as long as it stayed beneath the 375 half capacity limit of the arena. Just two weeks later the current restrictions came into effect, now allowing 4 guests per player for away fans to spectate, said Millet.
One player, Brodee Welch, says that the team was disappointed in the restrictions up until recently. “They were disappointed, but it was still better than last year. I’ve heard that many teams don’t want to play us because of our away fan limits.” Welch also says that with the new restrictions the games feel more normal, just without any fans from the other team, which he says very few come to watch.
Ray Dineen, another player, says that the change in restrictions have impacted the game, saying that “I think seeing our fans is a morale booster for the guys.”
*The Cony Rameses has reached out to Superintendent Anastasio for comments on the matter, he has said nothing as of 2/25/22*