Over the summer a lot of thought has gone into the reopening. We are closely following developments from the Ontario Government, CurlON and Curling Canada.
Ontario Entering Phase 3
In late June Ontario entered ‘Phase 3’ of reopening, the phase that allows curling clubs to open. Highlights of phase 3 include:
Highlights of phase 3 include:
Maximum 50 people at indoor gatherings where space permits
Wearing mask
Maintain six feet social distancing
CurlON / Curling Canada Rule Changes
In early July Curling Canada and CurlON issued Return to Play curling club specific guidelines which Arnprior Curling Club will be following. Some of the
Highlights include:
One sweeper only on all delivered stones. No relaying (second sweeper taking over halfway down the sheet). The none sweeping player will remain out of the way on a fixed marker in the ice to avoid confusion
The person in charge of the house is not allowed to sweep under any circumstance
The skip of the non-delivering must remain in the hack area until all stones come to rest. They are not allowed to sweep the opposition stone behind
the tee-line. Lessening of physical distancing restrictions would/could allow this guideline to be removed
The skip or vice skip (not both) of non-delivering team must stand at the hack until the other team is finished playing and has relinquished control of the house
The skip or vice skip (both teams) may not sweep any stones (either colour of rock) set in motion by the delivering team
Arrival and preparation for your game
When inside the Club and moving about the common areas you are required to wear a mask covering your nose, mouth, and chin.
Masks are not required on the ice or while sitting at your table at the bar
Arrive at the curling club wearing your curling clothes, except your curling shoes
Arrive at the club no more than 15 minutes before the start of your game
Locker Rooms will not be available
Remove footwear at the front door and hang your coat on a coat rack
Proceed down the stairs where you will put on your curling shoes
Members will be required to carry all their belongings to the ice surface – no personal items should be left, even during your curling game
Cleaning and Sanitizing our Club
Keeping all areas of our club clean and sanitized is vital to our collective safety. Here is the plan for the ice and lounge areas:
Ice Area
All rocks must be lined up in single file
We all touch rocks, most with our bare hands. To keep rocks sanitized each team will be responsible for wiping down their own rocks prior to starting the game.
Once cleaned players must not handle any rocks but their own
Use of Club Equipment will not be available
Members must provide their own equipment to curl
Sharing of equipment is not permitted
Arnprior will not provide club equipment such as brooms, stabilizers, sliders, etc.
Equipment can be purchased through the ACC Pro-Shop
Current Club inventory will be rented out for the year on a first come basis
Keeping the Club Clean and Sanitized
The Board of Directors is closely following public health cleaning and sanitizing requirements so that the club adheres to these safety conditions
Keeping high touch surfaces clean and sanitized is another way the Curling Club can minimize risk. The Curling Club has two cleaners which will follow strict cleaning procedures
Club will be spending money purchasing cleaning and sanitation supplies for high touch surfaces. We are hoping members will use these items to assist in clean.
On days when there is day-curling and a night draw (and before the second draw) volunteers will need to clean touch surfaces (as determined in Club cleaning protocols)
Socializing in the Bar Area
New Serving Procedures
No lining up at the bar
One table at a time will be permitted at the bar to purchase their round
COMING OFF THE ICE
Each sheet will be assigned two tables ( on the upper level or on the lower level) . The teams can decide who sits where.
A maximum of four people (socially distanced) per table is the guideline
Teams can decide who sits where
Masks at Your Table
While seated at a table in the lounge you are not required to wear your mask (unless public health rules change). If you get up from your chair for any reason, you must wear your mask.
Kitchen for Light Food Preparation Only
Our kitchen will be closed for cooking and operation of appliances. We are allowing simple food preparation only – unwrapping packaged food for example.
We want to hear from you
We’ve packed a lot into this message, but hopefully it enlightens you about the more significant aspects of our club’s reopening. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
Your Opinion Matters
In the meantime you are encouraged to share your comments or questions about our reopening plans with your Board of Directors in an email to joe.ferrari@sympatico.ca. Your responses will be discussed by the Board at the next meeting.