Time to put on your ice skates!

I have great news to share. The Sherwood Ice Arena (SIA) is re-opening. Last Friday, the Governor's office announced revised gym and indoor recreation standards in the extreme category. The new standards allow the SIA to open with limited occupancy in addition to reasonable procedures and requirements to limit the spread of COVID-19. (see useful links)

I want to thank all of you who participated in the letter-writing campaign at the beginning of the year. I shared your stories(300+) with the Governor's office as part of our efforts to re-open indoor recreation in Oregon. Your constructive, thoughtful and reasonable approach to your comments highlighted an ice sports community willing to comply with appropriate standards that would allow the SIA to open safely; I believe this made a difference.

The combined lobbying efforts of the mayor, council, staff, our House Representative Courtney Neron, industry groups, and I were able to tip the scales in our direction.

There is still work to do. While this is an excellent step in the right direction, the new rules need to be revised. Allowing six customers in 501 square feet and only 24 in a 45,000 square foot facility does not make sense. It continues to put an extreme financial burden on businesses that operate extensive facilities. The policy needs to reflect each business's specific circumstances instead of the Governor's approach to treating all indoor recreation and entertainment facilities with a single rule. Washington state has taken a much more reasonable approach to indoor recreation; they allow one person per 500sqft for large venues.

We will continue to work with the Governor's office to improve and revise the covid policy while our community continues to do its part to limit the spread.

Helpful Links

01-29-21 Indoor Recreation Guidance

01-29-21 Indoor Entertainment Rules

City of Sherwood Flash Alert

City of Sherwood Covid Resources

Greater Portland Inc. Covid Resources