Submitted Photo The NCCYHA Steelers will make their home at Northwest Arena until at least the end of the year with SUNY Fredonia’s Steele Hall closed to the public.

FREDONIA — On Wednesday, the Northern Chautauqua County Youth Hockey Association’s Steelers announced their season will continue as planned with the organization’s first ice times starting Tuesday.

“We have put communication out to all our membership explaining that our season will continue as normal, with a few modifications,” NCCYHA Board President Shaun Fadale said.

This year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fredonia State University — the usual home ice for the Steelers — has closed its doors to any outside groups to combat the virus on its campus. The Steelers have since made Northwest Arena in Jamestown their temporary home.

“We’re just happy that we can help another local organization give kids an opportunity to play,” Keith Martin, Northwest Arena executive director, said Wednesday evening. “It’s unfortunate that these circumstances don’t allow them to play in their home arena, but we’re just glad to help them out this year.”

The NCCYHA will be offering a Mites 6U/8U program, Squirts 10U, PeeWee 12U, and High School JV and varsity squads. The organization’s traditional Learn To Play Hockey sessions will be announced later in the fall once regular hockey is underway. The NCCYHA also has fielded many questions regarding a possible second statewide shutdown, in light of many college and professional sports cancellations.

“We have a prorated and full refund policy in effect should the season be cut short,” Fadale said. “We are one large hockey family and we take care of each other. No family will be financially burdened if hockey gets postponed.”

The NCCYHA is a northern Chautauqua County youth hockey organization established in 1984, recently boasting two-time New York State AAU Varsity championship titles. The hockey organization is open to the public and accepts all children from ages 3 to 18 years old, working with each player very closely.

“We are calling on all parents, grandparents, and guardians of youth hockey players to register your child as soon as possible so that we can try to keep this unusual hockey season as safe and normal as possible,” Fadale said. “All ice rinks and sports facilities throughout our region have taken major steps to ensure safe play including air filtration systems, daily deep cleaning, and trained staff wearing mandatory PPE.”

For more information on registering with the NCCYHA Steelers Mite 6U/8U, Squirts 10U, PeeWee 12U, High School JV or Varsity hockey programs please visit www.nccyha.com.

In addition to NCCYHA hockey, Northwest Arena has begun its regular lineup of Chautauqua County Youth Hockey Association and Jamestown Skating Club ice times with the addition of Backyard Curling during the first week of October. The North American Hockey League, including the Jamestown Rebels, are expected to make a final decision on the 2020-21 season in the near future.

“(The NCCYHA) fits in well with our schedule right now. It’s predominantly practices. There are no games right now,” Martin said. “The availability fits in well with our present schedule for them and our other user groups.”