Helmet rule to protect Charlottetown skaters is 'an ounce of prevention'

If you like skating in Charlottetown, you'll have to do it with your head covered next season after the city unanimously voted to change its helmet policy Monday night.

Currently, only children 12 and under have to wear helmets.

But as of Sept. 1, anyone hitting the ice at city-owned or operated arenas will have to wear a Canadian Standards Association approved helmet.

The policy covers arena staff, including Zamboni drivers.

The city is following in the footsteps of other municipalities across the country, said parks and recreation committee chair Mitchell Tweel.

The decision came down to safety and liability concerns for the city, he added.

"The old saying is true: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, said Tweel.

"So let's do our part and make sure we're much more contemporary as opposed to using a methodology that might have been accepted 15, 20 years ago."

Organizations that carry their own insurance coverage, such as figure skating clubs, will be able to continue to skate without helmets come September, according to the city.

They city will launch a publicity and media campaign to prepare residents for the change before next season, said Tweel.