Spitting results in cancellation of adult drop-in hockey in Terrace, B.C.

A northern B.C. city has cancelled noon-hour, drop-in hockey for adults after failing to curb a habit of some players — spitting while on the benches.

According to Terrace's director of leisure services Carmen Didier the problem is so bad that city officials had no choice but to cancel the games for the rest of the season.

"We have little kids that are stepping in spit on the floor, and you know it's just not sanitary, it's not appropriate," said Didier.

City officials verbally warned the players to stop spitting, and posted a large sign behind the bench warning hockey players not to spit.

When that failed to curb the behaviour, the city cancelled adult hockey for two weeks in February.

But Didier said that actually made things worse, with players spitting more on the floors and walls when they returned.

The mess created a health risk for other players and staff at the rink, Didier said, so the city cancelled the rest of the season for the drop-in games.

Didier said it is unfortunate that everyone had to pay for the bad behaviour of a few players, but the city was left with no other options.

"I definitely think the people that aren't causing the problem are very upset and I certainly understand that."

The noon-hour games will resume in October, when Didier is hoping players will be more sanitary.

To hear more from Carmen Didier, click the audio labelled: Spitting cancels noon-hour hockey.