Registration Opens Tomorrow, July 1st!

Hello LAHA Families,

Tomorrow, registration for the 2020-2021 season will open. While we are eager to get the season started, we are also aware of the circumstances around us all with COVID-19 which may be causing your family concerns about safety, registration, and what the season is going to look like. The following information is provided so you can make the best decision for your family.

COVID-19 Safety
As are many of you, LAHA is closely monitoring the ongoing developments with COVID-19. The safety of our players and families is our top priority and we are doing everything we can to prepare for a safe return to play. We are receiving ongoing guidance for best practices from USA Hockey in partnership with the U.S. Ice Rink Association and the U.S. Figure Skating Association. We are regularly on calls with affiliates from across the country monitoring the situation as it develops in different areas, seeing what works as rinks open up, and learning from their experiences.

On a more local level, LAHA is in regular communication with the rink as they prepare the facility and procedures for welcoming our players back this fall. And finally, we are keeping up to date with CDC recommendations as well as the guidelines set forth for Oregon and Lane County. This is a very fluid situation that practically changes on a daily basis and we will continue to update you as the season gets closer.

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Registration & Refunds
Registration for the season officially opens tomorrow, July 1st. As we have done in the past, we will continue to provide the option of either paying your fees in full or signing up for a payment plan. If you choose the payment plan option, your registration this season will require a $150 deposit per player. Your monthly payments for the balance will then start August 15th and run six months, ending on January 15th.

New this season, you will have the option of purchasing insurance on your season fees. The insurance is provided by a third-party service and LAHA does not receive any portion of the fees collected. This insurance is intended to help families whose player(s) might become injured or suffer illness such that they cannot continue to participate. This insurance does NOT cover COVID-19 losses. Learn more here: http://registrationsaver.com/teamsnap

While LAHA has a firm ’No Refunds’ policy, we recognize that this season is different and you may have concerns about what happens if the season is cut short or pauses, if games or tournaments get canceled, etc. If there is a significant program change due to COVID-19, the LAHA Board will take swift and appropriate action with regard to fees and/or refunds.

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Season Expectations
When planning a season, there are several moving parts that often take months to get lined up. Because of this, LAHA has chosen to move forward with the expectation that we will have a “normal” season. It is much easier for us to make adjustments as we go vs. waiting to see what happens and then scrambling to get things put together. Know that most of the Oregon and Washington associations are doing the same thing. We are all busy planning for the season to begin, coordinating on getting games scheduled, etc.

But as we get closer to the start of the season, be prepared that things might look different. While nothing yet has been set as policy, a few examples of things looking different could include the possibility that practices have limits for the number of kids on the ice and no spectators, that more games are played in house vs. away, that games might not have spectators, that players may need to come to the rink mostly dressed in their gear, etc. Flexibility from everyone is going to be critical this season as we work through the changing guidelines and requirements.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to attend the Board meeting on July 7th at 6:30pm. The meeting will be held via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5413213651

We are extremely excited for the season and look forward to seeing you all this fall! 

Sincerely,
Joy Pendowski on behalf of the LAHA Board