Heather Wright/The Independent

The stands at the East Lambton Community Complex arena will soon be a little safer.

Warwick Township council has agreed to put netting around the ice surface to protect spectators from flying pucks.

For decades, most of the seating in the arena has been unprotected without safety concerns being raised.

But that changed after an incident in the arena during a charity hockey game this summer.

During the warm-ups for the OHL exhibition game between the London Knights and the Erie Otters – an August fundraiser for the Alvinston arena project – a puck bounced into the stands striking an adult in the jaw.

The spectator, an elderly woman, received medical attention from paramedics at the game and then was taken to hospital for further treatment.

That prompted Councillor Wayne Morris to ask at a September council meeting why netting had never been put in at the ELCC and asked staff to look into the cost of protective netting.

Monday, Ryan Chamney, manager of parks and recreation recommended council agree to install either black or clear netting around the ice surface.

The cost for either was around $30,000 to be installed.

Morris had some feelings. “I was at a game in Petrolia last week, and they have the black mesh, and it is not nice at all to watch the hockey game,” he told council.

“The other comments I’ve had from people are the figure skating folks; they want the clear because I don’t think we’re planning on taking it down for carnival…the clear, so we can see better.”

Chamney says there are a wide range of opinions on whether black or clear is better for seeing.

“For example, the NHL and Ontario Hockey Leagues mandate black,” he said. “There’s no right or wrong way…

“I do lean towards personally the clear monofilament as well for being better to visualize, but there are documents and
information out there that state otherwise, and that black is the is the best for seeing through.”

Councillor Joe Manning wanted to know if there was a difference in safety standards.

“I just want some reassurance on the record … that it doesn’t look like we’re picking the cheaper option for the sake of money – that the safety standards are still there,” he said adding “apart from us getting an OHL game, I’m pretty sure the standards that we play on our ice we should be fine.”

Chamney said there was no difference.

The netting will be installed in the next four weeks on a day that doesn’t have any bookings, Chamney added.