The Ottawa BlackJacks of the CEBL confirmed on Twitter Friday morning that they have requested that they be able to allow vaccinated health care workers to attend their games when they tip-off next week, similar to what they allowed the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs to do in game seven against the Montreal Canadiens a few weeks ago.
It was also confirmed that the proposal was endorsed by Jim Watson, the Mayor of Ottawa and that they have asked twice before taking it to social media with no response.
“On Saturday, May 29, 2021, the Province of Ontario permitted approximately 550 fully vaccinated health care workers access to attend the National Hockey League playoff game at Scotia Bank Arena in Toronto,” wrote Michael Cvitkovic, President of the BlackJacks in the request. “Having developed similar health and safety guidelines which have been approved by multiple provinces for a return to professional basketball in our nation’s capital, it is only fitting that the Ottawa BlackJacks – the next professional sports franchise to host a game in the Province of Ontario – welcome our unsung heroes of the pandemic as well.”
“In consultation with Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG), the venue managers of the Arena at TD Place where the Ottawa BlackJacks play, based on the 10,000-seat basketball capacity of the venue and the precedent set in Toronto last week, we have estimated a safe capacity of 300 healthcare workers should be permitted to attend our home games slated for June 24, 28, and July 1, 2021, with complimentary admission,” he wrote.
“With the ongoing success of the vaccine rollout by the Province of Ontario, I believe this news would provide additional positive media coverage as we jointly celebrate the work of Ontario healthcare workers,” wrote Cvitkovic.
The request was submitted on June 3, 2021, with the BlackJacks requesting an answer “no later than June 10, 2021”, something that clearly has not been respected. You can read the full statement in the Tweet below.
The BlackJacks continue to wait for a response from the Province of Ontario. They are scheduled to tip-off their season Thursday, June 24, 2021, at the Arena at TD Place against the Niagara River Lions at 7 p.m.