Hockey is temporarily prohibited at the outdoor skating rink in downtown Penticton.

(DAN WALTON / iNFOnews.ca)

It’s easy to mistake the public skating surface in downtown Penticton for a hockey rink – it’s a rectangle with rounded corners, there are white boards with blue and yellow stripes around the perimeter, the glass and netting at both ends look like they were built to contain pucks, the boards are full of black marks from pucks, and a nearby poster facing the rink reads “ALL HOCKEY”.

But there’s a sign on the outside of the rink with one big rule that’s hard to miss – “ABSOLUTELY NO HOCKEY”.

In smaller font, the sign says no sticks and no pucks until further notice.

(DAN WALTON / iNFOnews.ca)

However, hockey will be permitted during allotted times at some point in 2023, according to the sign.

Netting and glass are already be in place, but the posted notice says netting and glass – as well as a schedule – are being worked on, and additional fundraising will be required.

READ MORE: New outdoor skating rink cool addition to downtown Penticton

The rink is on city property, however, it's managed by Activate Penticton.

“As a volunteer organization, Activate Penticton has worked hard to create an outdoor skating experience for all ages and abilities,” Anthony Haddad, the Penticton’s general manager of community services, said in an emailed statement.

“We’ve been talking with them about how to meet the needs of all users and expect an announcement from them shortly that will provide opportunities for everyone to enjoy the rink.”

(DAN WALTON / iNFOnews.ca)

The few skaters using the rink on Wednesday morning didn’t seem to mind that no hockey was allowed.

“I understand why there would be a no-hockey rule but I feel like there should maybe be times when there can be,” said Kerra Poulin, who was visiting from Kelowna and enjoying the ice with her friends.

Anybody who does play hockey is not in violation of any local bylaws. 

"Bylaw does not play a role in enforcing the rules (Activate Penticton) has established," bylaw manager Tina Mercier said in an emailed statement. "The rules are theirs and compliance is up to them."

However, bylaw officers have responded to noise complaints at the rink, Mercier said. 

"To be clear, we’re not looking to monitor fun – we all love an outdoor rink and recognize the excitement and buzz that can be generated. We do ask that people be respectful of neighbours, especially later in the day."

An email sent to Activate Penticton was not responded to by publication time.

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