After being opened for one day, the Minto Skating Centre, the only arena in Ottawa with ice, voluntarily paused ice rentals on Friday due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Minto Skating Centre GM Scott Lawryk said in a statement yesterday that the arena would be pausing rentals at the request of authorities. He followed up today with TSN's Brent Wallace explaining the issue regarding regulations surrounding different user groups.

“We are confident this is not related to an on-site safety or procedural issue," said Lawryk. "However, the application of the regulations as they relate to different user groups will be examined; we want to ensure that all parties are comfortable prior to moving forward with reopening the facility.”

The private arena, which had opened for skating sessions on Thursday, was attended by pro players including Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux.

Rules at the rink to maintain social and physical distancing included coming to the rink already dressed, signing in at the front door and a maximum of four skaters and one instructor on the ice at once.

According to Wallace, the Minto Skating Centre says they were booked solid for 14 hours a day for two weeks.