More arenas across the province of Nova Scotia are adopting an all-ages helmet policy.
Participating rinks will require everyone to wear a helmet while on the ice, regardless of their age or activity.
The first ten arenas in the province to adopt the policy were recognized today, receiving $5,000 in gift certificates from Canadian Tire.
- DalhousieUniversity Arena, Halifax
- Rath Eastlink Community Centre, Truro
- Mabou and District Athletic Centre, Inverness
- Glooscap District Arena, Canning
- BMO Centre, Bedford
- Hants Exhibition Arena, Windsor
- Shannon Park Arena, Dartmouth
- ParrsboroLions Recreation Center, Parrsboro
- BAYplex, Glace Bay
- Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre, Port Hawkesbury
Dr. David Clarke is the interim head of neurosurgery at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax. He says injuries to the brain while skating aren’t restricted to any specific age group.
“The unique thing that we're recognizing here today is the growing number of arenas who are saying ‘yes,’” says Clarke. “It makes sense. The literature supports it. We should be implementing an all-age helmet use in hockey rinks.”
The money handed out today will help with equipment donations for children or upgrades to arenas.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Jacqueline Foster
