Windsor Spitfires host first fan-attended home game in 19 months
The OHL's Windsor Spitfires returned to the ice Sunday at the WFCU Centre, but this time, in front of a home crowd for the first time since the pandemic began in March, 2020.
About 1,000 fans had tickets for the game against the Hamilton Bulldogs, but recent provincial changes to indoor capacity limits could mean more fans at local games.
The province announcing Friday, arenas like the WFCU Centre will be allowed 50 per cent capacity, up to 10,000 people.
“We had to ensure they could do it safely and we did it in a staged and phased way, and we’ll continue to address other venues we’re holding back,” says Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s medical officer of health.
That means at an arena like WFCU, instead of 1,000 fans, roughly 3,200 people will be able to attend.
Spits management will review Sunday’s experience and determine next steps this week.
Fans taking in the Windsor Spitfires game at the WFCU Centre against the Hamilton Bulldogs on Sunday Sept. 26, 2021. (Rich Garton / CTV News)Convention centres and banquet halls across the province also got a boost for capacity limits.
But not all venues feel they’re getting equal treatment.
“They need to put common sense to the rules. Once you put common sense to any rules, it’ll make sense,” says Ron Moro, general manager of the Giovanni Caboto Club.
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has restricted local indoor events like wedding, to a maximum of 100 people and dancing only allowed between the marital couple.
The club hosted a wedding Saturday night — and while the bride and groom were happy, staff had to come down on a few guests for starting to dance.
“It’s not nice that we essentially have to police the event and indicate to people, sorry, you can’t dance, even if you’re by your table. Cause you want to dance, you just can’t,” says Moro.
Ron Moro says checking vaccine certification is another extra task they’re happy to perform, but would like to see monetary compensation from the government.
“That’s even more difficult for Windsor. We’re hoping they realize those rules don’t make a lot of sense and they need to change them of massage them,” Moro says.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Justin Trudeau to step down as PM following Liberal leadership race
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, and is proroguing Parliament as the Liberal Party of Canada embarks on the journey to replace him.
Justin Trudeau steps down as Liberal leader. Who are the top contenders to replace him?
With Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation as Liberal party leader, several well-known political faces may be waiting in the wings for their opportunity to take his place.
'Together, what a great nation it would be': Donald Trump, Elon Musk react to Justin Trudeau's resignation
Amid news of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation as leader of the Liberal party on Monday morning, reactions from prominent figures began piling in.
Strong earthquake kills at least 95 people in western China near Mount Everest
A strong earthquake shook a high-altitude region of western China and areas of Nepal on Tuesday, damaging hundreds of houses, littering streets with rubble and killing at least 95 people in Tibet.
Trudeau resignation: recap key moments, analysis, reaction as it happened
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has stepped down as Liberal leader. Here's a recap of key moments, analysis, and reaction as it happened.
Trudeau says Parliament is 'prorogued' until March. What does that mean?
In his resignation speech on Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Parliament would be prorogued until March, which will give the Liberal party time to find a new leader ahead of an expected confidence vote and early election.
Justin Trudeau is resigning after an historic political tenure, here's a look back at his career-defining moments
In a seismic political move, Justin Trudeau has announced his intention to step down as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and prime minister, once his successor is named. This decision comes after more than nine years in the country's top job and nearly 12 years at the helm of his party.
Justin Trudeau resignation: Here's what he said in Ottawa today
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered a speech about his political future Monday morning outside Rideau Cottage in Ottawa. Here's the message he delivered to Canadians.
Alberta government signs new oil and gas agreement with Enbridge
The Alberta government has signed an agreement with Enbridge that Premier Danielle Smith says will increase exports of the province's heavy oil to the United States.