City to review Ice Allocation Policy and Guidelines to strengthen equitable access

By Christena Lawrie, CFRC's Broadcast Journalist and Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

Council unanimously approved a motion at their last meeting to review and update the City of Kingston’s Ice Allocation Policy and Guidelines to support equitable access, especially concerning changerooms.

The motion, brought forward by Councillor Wendy Stephen, stems from concerns raised about girls’ changeroom access during some co-ed hockey programs. Staff found not only operational communication issues, but also a gap in the City’s existing policy, which addresses equitable ice access but not changeroom assignments. 

Amendments made following community input broadened the motion to support all participants and directed staff to use identity-based language in future policy development. 

Staff will return with recommendations by the end of summer 2026.

Listen to the full story here.