Malliotakis to Mayor: "Follow the science & let them play"

(STATEN ISLAND, NY) - Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) yesterday joined the leadership of the Staten Island Skating Pavilion in calling on Mayor de Blasio to allow private entities to run high-risk sports programs and leagues. Mayor de Blasio's most recent order allows high school sports programs to resume next month, however, privately owned businesses are still not allowed to operate at full capacity.

"We are seeing the toll that not being in school and the lack of athletics is having on young peoples' mental and physical health," said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. "Our children need socialization with their peers and playing sports is a large part of that. It makes absolutely no sense that the ice rink can be open to the public, but hockey leagues with 12 children in a game are still restricted in New York City. Meanwhile, such leagues are taking place without any issue on Long Island, Upstate New York, and New Jersey. In fact, New York City may be the only place where these youth leagues are still restricted. I strongly urge Mayor de Blasio to reconsider the effects this is having on our youth and small businesses like the Staten Island Skating Pavilion, and let these leagues play while adhering to safety guidelines put in place. Follow the science, Mr. Mayor, and let them play."

The Staten Island Skating Pavilion, a staple of the community for 25 years, provides high-quality programs to teach and support the sports of ice hockey, figure skating, and other ice-related activities for people of all ages. Due to New York City's COVID-19 closure mandates, the pavilion has not been able to operate at full capacity for months, hurting revenue and forcing Staten Island hockey families to play in leagues outside of the community.

"We're allowed to have 200 people on the ice for a public session, but we can't put 12 kids to play hockey," said Sal Tirro, owner of the Staten Island Skating Pavilion. "This is a hockey arena; we've been here since 1995 on Staten Island. If we are not permitted to play hockey, we won't be here in 2022. This has to end now or else we just won't survive."

You can view yesterday's press conference HERE.