2021-22 CURLING SEASON
Survey Results
We want to thank all the members who took the time to reply to the survey. We had a fantastic response rate with 599 members providing their feedback.
With over 80% of the membership responding what the results tell us is:
Of those that responded almost all plan to return to curling when we open
90% of members have already had their booster shots
most of the remaining people are scheduled or planning to get their booster when they become eligible
There is strong interest in an end-of-season, Club-wide, bonspiel if conditions allow it
A majority of our membership would play until the end of April with over half willing to pay into May
From the survey results we have asked sections to plan on playing regular league games and playoffs up to Easter. This will allow an end of season bonspiel after Easter, conditions permitting.
As we all know very well, nothing is certain with COVID and, as a result, we may need to use the time after Easter for regular league games if the season is interrupted again.
The Board has reviewed our COVID protocols (which we provide below) which we view as minimum safety standards for the Club. Each section will determine whether or not they wish to set stricter rules for game play (i.e. number of sweepers, curlers in the house, etc.) as well as how soon games will start after January 31st.
Please be understanding and respectful if a skip and/or team requests that you maintain distance while on the ice and/or stay out of the house while their rock is in play. While we will have the bar open for drinks after games please do not pressure teams or individuals who do not want to socialize after their games. Respect peoples’ choices and realize they might be protecting family and friends who are immune compromised or otherwise high risk.
Protect yourself and others, if you feel unwell or have been exposed to anyone with COVID please do not come to the Cub until you are sure it is safe to return. We need to watch out for each other and do everything we can to ensure we are able to complete the season.
Your help and support is greatly appreciated!
Opening Protocols
What we have done so far that has been working….
New Verify App QR vaccine passport (government issued) scan at the front door.
Contact tracing for entry to the building with either your CURLON QR code on your mobile device or by entering your name manually will continue
A reminder not arrive until 10-15 mins prior to your game, and leave the lounge when the game on ice finishes their 6th end. There should be no overlapping of draws in the lounge
Masks must be worn anywhere in the club except when sitting at your table or curling on the ice. Masks are strongly encouraged while on the ice but are not mandatory – medical grade masks are strongly encouraged, no cloth bandanas, nor buffs. Multiple layer masks are a must. Please change/wash your mask regularly
Decisions regarding 2 skips in the house, and/or 2 sweepers will be up to the individual sections
Please respect people’s decisions and comfort areas with regards to these topics.
A reminder to utilize the spacing dots on the ice to maintain social distancing
Capacity will be limited in the locker areas and masks must be worn. Use common sense if locker rooms are full, please wait. We are asking that you continue to change at home and use the locker room for changing of shoes only
Guests/spectators will be asked not to attend until further notice
No outside members will be allowed in the club. No special events or bonspiels until further notice
Extra cleaning continues for the kitchen, bar and ice staff, antiviral wipes will be readily available
MOST IMPORTANTLY – if you feel unwell, please do not come to the club. This includes minor cold like symptoms (runny nose, tickle in your throat, dry cough etc). A positive/negative test is not required – symptom management is the key. COVID-19 is transmissible 2 days prior to testing positive with a rapid test, and rapid tests are not 100% reliable. Therefore, symptom management is the key to avoiding an outbreak at our Club. We cannot stress this point enough. Attempt to get a spare or inform your team they will be playing with 3, but ALWAYS err on the side of caution.
If you do test positive for COVID-19, please call Jim Holland. Your personal identity will be kept confidential, but we will then be calling members who may have come in contact. Members will be cautioned to be cognizant of symptoms but may not be required to quarantine unless they have symptoms but may elect to do so out of an abundance of caution. If applicable, quarantine now spans 5 days.
Please book your booster appt. ASAP, even if you have had COVID-19. Getting your booster does not prevent you from getting COVID-19 but greatly improves your chances of recovery without hospitalization
CurlON strongly endorses one sweeper, no sweeping in the house and the use of masks at all times during the first re-opening phase – the BCC strongly encourages this recommendation, but it is not mandatory
Communicate with your Teams!
It is important that all teams communicate with each other at this point. Please confirm who is returning and if anyone is not returning so you can find spares or replacement players.
It is way too much for sections to have to do all this work so the onus is on skips and individual teams to contact your team mates and then reach out to your sections games chairs and executives with your status.
Some sections are creating new draws and teams so make sure your section knows your plans so you get on a team.
There were a few people who responded to the survey that they are unsure if they are returning but curling is a week away so you need to decide now and get your teams organized. The survey is anonymous so we do not know who you are. Talk to your teammates and section organizers, help find spares or replacements if needed.
We are not going to host any bonspiels or outside events until possibly the Grand Mixed if things improve. We are not going to open the kitchen for lunches at least to start. We will have coffee, baking and of course the bar will be open.
We understand if members do not want to congregate at the tables in the lounge after the game. Please be respectful of everyone’s choices.
Our plan is to have regular league games and playoffs wrap up at Easter and hold a year end Grand Mixed type bonspiel after Easter to end the season. But with covid shut downs or further issues we might use those last two weeks in April to hold league games if needed.
Above all we need people to be cautious, stay safe but be flexible and understanding as we work all this out.
Regards,
Jim
BCC Awarded a New Trillium Grant!
I am happy to report that we have been approved for another Trillium grant. Our club will receive $71,700 towards a new boiler and on ice gas heater as well as air-conditioning for the lounge.
The grant covers 80% of the total cost.
We will be removing all the old water piping in the ice shed area and replacing with a new gas heater. The new boiler will more efficiently heat the rest of our building and save us on heating bills and the air conditioner will allow for summer time rentals and help make the club more comfortable during the start and end of the season.
Next up we are trying to get a grant for solar panels!
Jim
The Burlington Curling Club is one of the finest curling clubs in Ontario with five sheets of quality curling ice, first-rate food and beverage service, and a friendly atmosphere that fosters the love of the game on and off the ice.
If you are interested in membership information, please go to the “Club” dropdown box and click on “Membership” to access information on the Burlington Curling Club Leagues, 2021-22 membership rates, and our $99.00 introductory special.
Learn To Curl
We are not running the LTC league in 2021-22 but we are offering monthly free clinics to help people learn the game and hopefully get comfortable enough to join the next season. email:
manager@burlcurl.com for more information or fill in the Membership Form under
The Club header at the top of the page.
If you are interested in joining the BCC, please go to the “Club” drop-down box, then to “Membership Form”. Fill out the form and submit it. There is no cost to do so. You will be contacted within a few days confirming the receipt of your application. Many of the BCC sections have short waiting lists so it is important to apply early.
You can contact the Club Manager, Jim Holland anytime at 905-634-0014 or manager@burlcurl.com
Spectator Reminders
Now that December 1st is here, we are sure that most people are looking forward to participating in a few more social activities at the club. There is a general sense of excitement as spectators can now re-join the on-ice curlers in enjoying the social nature of our club. Given this natural enthusiasm, we would like to remind you of a few club protocols.
First, please refrain from touching, knocking, or banging on the viewing glass. Not only are these actions a significant safety hazard, it also distracts from the on-ice experience of our curlers. We are asking people to use their common sense when trying to get someone’s attention on the ice or when reacting to the amazing shots which will no doubt be made during the games. Our members’ safety and on-ice enjoyment is a priority for everyone.
Secondly, please remember to give bar priority to the curlers who have exited the ice surface. As spectators we would ask you to allow the curlers to obtain their drinks when ready so that they can move to the post game area with ease. We also ask that all spectators remain either sitting at the glass or in the pregame high-top tables to allow those finishing their game the space and comfort to socialize.
Lastly, as case counts are on the rise and a new concerning variant has been observed we ask you to keep in mind the basic COVID protocols, wash or sanitise your hands frequently, observer social distancing where possible, wear your mask when entering, leaving or not seated at a table and finally please stay home if you feel sick or think you may have been exposed to COVID.
If we all take a few moments to remember these club protocols everyone’s on-ice and in-lounge experience will be an enjoyable and safe one.
The Burlington Curling Club gratefully acknowledges a Trillium Foundation grant of $67,900 that has allowed us to update our ice plant and remove the mold infected areas of the club. This will provide both energy savings and a safer environment for our curlers.
If you click on the link above you can download a PDF of the latest guidelines for reopening curling clubs that our curling associations have released..
If gives you an idea of how our game will be affected and some of the steps, we as a club, will have to take to open. Most key steps are noted above in Andre’s message..
Videos to show Game Flow
CurlON has created a couple very short videos just to show you the flow of a game with the covid procedures in place. One sweeping, where to stand when other team is throwing and one skip in the house etc.
Click on the links below to view.
Practice Times
Practice Times going forward
Tuesday and Wednesday 3:15 PM to 5:15 PM
The club will be open 8:30 AM until 11PM – 7 days a week – from Thanksgiving to Easter.
Closed over the Christmas holidays.
Due to COVID we have a no spectator policy.
Members who are double vaccinated only
Office hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Outside of those hours email:
manager@burlcurl.com
