Rink

Our building currently does not have any protective netting, and I would like to know if there are any USA Hockey regulations concerning this. The building is a city owned and operated facility, and we have asked them to put netting up as a precaution, but have had no luck so far. My thinking is that if there were some regulations regarding the netting maybe we could convince the city to put some up. Our concerns are not only the potential injuries, but the lawsuits that could follow. Any insight you have on this would be appreciated. It is surprising to believe that we are having this conversation about protecting the spectators. Starting with the National Hockey League after the death of an 11-year-old girl in Columbus, OH, all professional hockey leagues have mandated protective netting at the ends of the rink. While USA Hockey strongly suggests the use of spectator netting it is not a rule. USA Hockey uses the ASTM Document F1703-04 Standard Guide for Ice Hockey Playing Facilities as their guide when suggesting glass height and use of spectator netting. Your hockey club should try to get a document from your legal staff to state in writing that you have asked for the protective netting ... that your club and USA Hockey will not be responsible for spectator injuries, and have someone with the city sign it. Chances are the cost to have the city attorneys review the document will cost more than the netting itself. The netting is not very expensive compared to the bad press and lawsuits that will follow any injury. Netting averages only $1-2 per square foot depending on the design of the building. ★ january/february 2007 R I N K M A G A Z I N E 51

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