There are many rinks in my area. Some are run by governments, and some of those will probably re-open.
BUT: it has previously been true that there were some very uncrowded mid-day public sessions. If some of the rinks close, that may become less true.
In addition, less competition, and a period of closure, may mean that skate session prices will go up.
I wasn't taking lessons when the rinks closed, but was considering doing so again a little in the future. But I assume that most facilities will, as before, only certify a limited number of coaches to teach. That means that many coaches, possibly including some I have liked best, will find themselves out of a job long term. Others may have to move to continue to coach, or find another sport to teach. I don't know how this will affect the cost of taking lessons.
I am also concerned that there will be a long term adverse economic impact on the remaining rinks, in that rinks may no longer be running to run crowded sessions, and hockey may be impractical or at least less popular, if no long term reliable immunization is possible, or if it isn't available for a long time to come. I may have to drop ice skating if this happens.
I and others may also have to drop other activities in crowded facilities. In the past I enjoyed going to a local gym to exercise, swim, and soak in the hot tub. I often did that before or after skating, because a skating facility and the gym in question were next to each other. Likewise, I often skated at a skating facility that was on my way to and back from popular kayak put-ins and take-outs. It is generally uncrowded at sea (though I used to accompany large groups of paddlers), but the put-ins and take-outs have often been crowded, and many of the best whitewater kayak places have been crowded. Again, I have sometimes enjoyed folk and social dancing at various somewhat crowded venues, one of which is also incidentally quite near a skating facility. I have also skied, hiked and backpacked with various groups.
The more I think of it, the more Covid19 could impact most of the activities I have enjoyed the most. I have also chosen to live in places that were close to these things. Those places to live have lost much of their appeal.
On the plus side, I have been doing a lot more jogging than I did in the past. I plan to buy another set of roller or inline skates, since mine are out of town. But we stay out of each others' way. Not very social activities, though I have met and talked to some people at a distance.
Perhaps we will all eventually decide to risk exposure to the disease, because it is too hard to live like this in the long run. But in the mean time, many ice rinks, gyms, boating access points, social dance places, etc., will close long-term.
I pray to Lidwina, patron saint of ice skating, for a return to the way things were!
Topic: What Will You do if your Home Rink Closes? (Read 4747 times)