Melnyk to pay part-time arena staff in Belleville and Ottawa during stoppage of play

With the hockey season on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ottawa and Belleville Senators Owner Eugene Melnyk says he will cover the wages of part-time arena workers in both cities, while play is suspended.

A statement from Capital Sports and Enterntainment says part-time arena staff in Ottawa will be paid for shifts scheduled through April 4, which is the original end of the NHL season.

Additionally, part-time workers in Belleville would be paid through to April 11, which is the original end of the AHL season and into the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs.

Here is the full statement from Capital Sports & Entertainment:

Further to yesterday’s statement on part-time staff support, Capital Sports & Entertainment can confirm the following program details:

Eugene Melnyk, owner of the National Hockey League’s Ottawa Senators and the American Hockey League’s Belleville Senators, has personally pledged to pay part-time and hourly workers the income they would have otherwise received during the suspension of play due to the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting state of emergency in Ontario.

Accordingly, Ottawa Senators part-time arena staff will receive income for the shifts scheduled through to and including April 4, the end of the NHL regular season. At the same time, Mr. Melnyk has personally committed to paying part-time arena employees of the Belleville Senators through to April 11, the end of the AHL regular season, and the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Capital Sports & Entertainment and Mr. Melnyk continue to support and encourage our staff to practise safe health protocols during these unprecedented times.