Arena Dressing Room & Figure Skating Room Policy

 

This policy ensures all dressing and change areas are safe, respectful, inclusive, and comfortable for skaters, families, coaches, volunteers, and Board members. It applies to all Skate Wheatley regular skating sessions, special events, and carnival.

 

Arena Dressing Rooms (Pre-CanSkate / CanSkate Levels)

• Arena dressing rooms are co-ed/gender-neutral.
• Parents/guardians may enter to assist young skaters with skates, helmets, and other gear.
• Skaters should arrive dressed in the proper skating attire whenever possible. Doing so reduces the need to change and supports privacy, safety, and session efficiency.
• We ask that families limit the number of people (e.g., one parent/guardian) who come into the dressing room with skaters, given the limited space.

 

Figure Skating Room (Junior, Intermediate, Senior, and CanSkate Development Levels)

General Rule:

• The Figure Skating Room is primarily for skaters only and is considered to be co-ed/gender-neutral.
• The Figure Skating Room door shall remain open or propped open during sessions to ensure visibility and supervision (as per Skate Canada policy).
• Skaters, to the best of their ability, should arrive at the arena wearing the appropriate skating attire. This helps minimize the need for changing.
• For additional privacy, skaters are encouraged to use the two bathrooms inside the Figure Skating Room for private changing.
• In case of a medical emergency, trained coaches, emergency personnel as well as parents/guardians, arena staff, etc. may enter the Figure Skating Room (as per Skate Canada policy and Safe Sport protocol).

·         Coaches are permitted to enter the Figure Skating Room as needed to prepare for sessions, monitor skaters, provide dryland training, use the washrooms, or provide assistance in accordance with Safe Sport and Skate Canada guidelines.

 

Junior / CanSkate Development Skaters:

• Parents/Guardians may enter 15 minutes before their scheduled ice time to assist skaters with gear and tying skates.
• Only one parent/guardian per skater is permitted. We kindly ask that you enter, assist your skater as needed, and then exit promptly once finished.
• Parents/Guardians must exit before the previous session ends.
• If a skater arrives late and needs help to tie skates, parents/guardians should call out into the room first before entering. Entry will be allowed only after the skater(s) confirm it’s okay to come in, as skaters could be changing from a previous session. If no help is needed, skaters may enter and get ready on their own.
• After the session, parents/guardians may assist their skater with removing skates in the Figure Skating Room once all skaters from the session following theirs have exited the room to protect privacy and prevent crowding.

 

Intermediate / Senior Skaters:

• Parents are permitted in the Figure Skating Room under limited circumstances as outlined below to maintain privacy and in accordance with the Skate Canada policy, which states they “discourage parents from entering locker room and/or changing areas except for younger age groups or when absolutely necessary.”
• If a parent/guardian needs to speak to, see their skater, or assist their skater in tying skates they should call out into the room first. Entry will be allowed only after the skater(s) confirm it is safe, decent, and appropriate to enter (e.g., discuss rides, bring a water bottle, etc).
• Skaters who leave their session early should be aware that parents/guardians may be present in the Figure Skating Room assisting skaters from other sessions. If an early-departing skater needs to change, they are expected to use one of the two bathrooms inside the Figure Skating Room for that purpose.

 

Special Events & Carnival:

• During events requiring quick changes (carnival, picture day, other events), separate male and female change rooms may be set up.
• Male parents/guardians should not enter female-designated rooms or vise-versa.

 

Clean and Respectful Use

• Keep all rooms tidy.
• Take all personal belongings home unless secured in a locker in the Figure Skating Room.
• Treat all skaters’ belongings with respect; do not touch or move items that aren’t yours.

 

Behaviour Expectations

• Bullying, teasing, rude language, or any inappropriate behaviour is strictly prohibited.
• All skaters, parents, and volunteers are expected to act respectfully and considerately toward others.
• Limited use of cell phones, cameras, and recording devices is allowed in dressing rooms but only for safe and appropriate purposes. All use must respect the privacy of skaters, and under no circumstances may photos, videos, or recordings of others be taken.

 

Valuables

• Skate Wheatley is not responsible for lost or stolen valuables.
• Only bring items needed for skating.