Dear editor,
I was once again taken back by the Airdrie City View's recent front-page photo, which showed hockey players playing the sport without helmets. Over a year ago, the City of Airdrie mandated helmet use by all and on all the municipality's outdoor rinks. The decision was made to mandate helmets in an attempt to provide a safer environment for Airdrie's residents who use the rinks.
Unfortunately, your newspaper continues to print photos of helmet-less hockey players. The last issue was not the first time you did so.
Last week's photo was of particular concern. The editor captioned it as follows – "a hockey player lets fly a shot at the outdoor rink at Chinook Winds Regional Park." Imagine being unprotected and hit in the head by this flying puck. I was left wondering how many other residents were on the rink at the time.
As our local newspaper, the Airdrie City View has a responsibility to be knowledgeable of the bylaws and mandates that exist within our city. Your paper can contribute to making our outdoor rinks much safer by promoting proper helmet use and educating the citizens of Airdrie on the seriousness of head injuries and concussions.
Thank you for allowing me to express my view.
Adele Bromley
Chinook Winds
