RETURN 2 PLAY Whitby Curling Club - SEPTEMBER 16 2021

SEPTEMBER 16 2021

RETURN 2 PLAY
  Whitby Curling Club

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Message from the Board                   1
Building Entrance/Exit
                                         2
Building Occupancy Load and Layout       3
- Ice Capacity
- Lounge Capacity
- Bradley Room Capacity
- Locker Room Staging Area
- Washrooms
Club Wide Safety and Cleaning            4
- Masks
- Touch Points
- Positive Test Protocol
Equipment Usage and Purchase             7
Return to Curl                           8
- On-ice Social Distancing
- Sweeping Rules
- Ancillary Events

Bar Protocol                             10
Non-Compliance                           11

Message from the
        Board
The Whitby Curling Club Board of Directors would like to thank the
membership for their patience and understanding as we navigate these ever-
changing times. The Board has updated the Return to Play guidelines for how
the club can operate effectively this season; while keeping our memberships
safety as our priority.
 Please note that this document can be modified at anytime to continue to align
with any Provincial or National health related updates.
We hope the membership finds these guidelines comprehensive and
informative, while filling them with the confidence and comfort to return the
sport and Club they love this winter. Obviously, it goes without saying that the
“House of Hospitality” is going to look very different this winter as we adhere to
all the current regulations.

The Board expects all members choosing to
return this season to adhere to these
guidelines to the fullest. The Board
understands that these are challenging times
and if members do not feel comfortable
returning their status as a member will remain
until they are confident returning.

Building Entrance and Exit:
The Curling Club will be utilizing a single-entry door and single exit door for this season. The
Club will continue to contact trace and retain records for a minimum of thirty days, utilizing the
CurlOn APP scanner. The APP scanner is installed inside the South stairwell. All members will
be asked to scan their individualized code each time they enter the building. This can be done
through your mobile phone, or Club Management can provide you a paper copy for the season.
CurlOn is adding a modification to their QR code to allow the Club to record you Vaccination or
exemption status 1 time. Prior to the start of curling season instructions will be provided to all
registered members about having their QR code updated to relfect the changes.
*As of September 22, 2021, Ontarians will need to be fully vaccinated (two doses plus 14 days)
and provide their proof of vaccination along with photo ID to access certain public settings and
facilities - The Whitby Curling Club ahs been identified as one of these facilities and the
previously mentioned criteria will apply.
**Individuals who cannot receive the vaccine due to medical exemptions will be permitted entry
with a doctor’s note until recognized medical exemptions can be integrated as part of a digital
vaccine certificate.
***Children who are 11 years of age and younger and unable to be vaccinated will also be
exempted from these requirements.

Arrival
All members will be provided access to the building through the South doors no more than 15
minutes before their league start time. Once scanned into the building all members must
proceed directly to the locker room. Members will have access to the locker rooms this season.

Departure
Members can only exit the building through the North doors.

Building Occupancy Load
Under current guidelines the Curling Club is allowed a maximum of 50% capacity.
*Indoor open at 50% capacity, with spectators permitted at a maximum capacity of 50% or 1,000
people (whichever is less) and other restrictions (ie. Maintaining a distance of 6 feet/2 metres).
- Spectators: will only be able to access the building 15 minutes before game time or ring doorbell if
outside that window. Spectators will have a designated viewing area in the Bradley Room and must
remain masked unless consuming food or drink.

Ice Shed (48 people - Full Draw)
The Whitby Curling Club will follow all Curling Canada Return to Play Guidelines to maintain social
distancing in the ice shed. Curling Canada has provided an illustration about how the ice should be
set-up to adhere to social distancing. Decals and standing areas will be added to the ice to assist
curlers with where to stand while curling.
*Entry and exit from the rink will be restricted to 1 door, entry from North and exit from South Ice
shed door.
Lounge and Bradley Room (48 people seated)
The Whitby Curling Club will be setting up the lounge and Bradley Room to have six (6) tables of eight
(8) players per league.
Afternoon draw uses Lounge
6:45pm draw uses Bradley Room
9:00pm Draw uses Lounge

Locker Rooms
Locker rooms will be open this season - however they will be co-ed. Use of lockers for storage is
allowed, changing is prohibited (unless on a single gender draw). Physical distancing and masks are
still required.

Washrooms
All Washroom facilities will be open.

Club Wide Safety and Cleaning
The WCC will open for the 2021-2022 season and will comply with Provincial and local
regulations related to COVID-19. The following outlines the safety guidelines
that will be in place and enforced.
Self-Screening and Vaccine Certificate
Members will be asked to self-screen prior to coming to the club based on the Government of
Ontario’s COVID-19 Self- Assessment screening tool. Signage will also be at the entrance to the
Club with a reminder of the symptoms. If a member feels sick or has been in contact with
anyone being tested for or tested positive for COVID-19 they will not come to curling, until
cleared based on Public Health Guidelines. All members will be asked to scan their
personalized QR code as they enter the building to aid in contact tracing. Members who do not
have access to a personal cell phone will be required to get a paper copy with the assistance of
Club Management or sign in each time on the form in the staging area.
As of September 22, 2021, Ontarians will need to be fully vaccinated (two doses plus 14 days)
and provide their proof of vaccination - The Club will provide detailed instructions about how to
confirm vaccination or exemption prior to the start of curling. Children who are 11 years of age
and younger and unable to be vaccinated will also be exempted from these requirements.

Masks
Will always be required to be worn in the building. The only exceptions are: when seated at a
table in the lounge post game, or when on your designated curling sheet (ie feet on your sheet).
Masks must be worn at all other times, including leaving the ice surface to use the washroom or
use a measuring device. Staff to wear masks, except when alone in their office.

Locker Room
Lockers will be available for use this year to store your belongings, the locker rooms will be co-
ed except on a single gender draw. Locker surfaces will not be cleaned on a regular basis and
therefore members are cautioned about touching the locker doors.

Touch-points
All touch points will be cleaned regularly throughout the day and recorded on the checklist
available on the bulletin board by the bar.
General touch-points
Cleaning/Sanitization will occur on the touch-points (club entrance door, handrails, locker room
door handle, ice surface door handles etc.) during games.
Ice Shed touch-points
Spinner to determine who has hammer. These will not be in use this season. Members are
encouraged to either use their own coin, use an app on their phone, play rock/paper/scissors or
some other option they can agree on.
Rock handles will be cleaned/sanitized prior to each draw. Members are only to touch their 2
stones during the game.
Measuring and Biter stick
Members will be wearing their mask when they get the measuring stick and follow the protocol:
    remove their gloves,
    sanitize hands before using measure,
    measure the rock and provide ample space for the opposing Vice to view the measure,
    agree on the dial read-out,
    repeat with other stone,
    member who got the measuring stick will replace it regardless of who scored,
    sanitize hands and return to play.

Scoreboard
Score markers will not be individually cleaned by the ice staff. Members are responsible for
sanitizing pre and post use. Please limit hanging the score to only 1 person/sheet.
Ice Prep Tools
To ensure the safety of our Ice Prep team, all tools used by the team will be cleaned/sanitized
after each use (or shift), if they are the only ones using a tool (nipper, broom, pebble can etc.). If
this changes during the shift, the ice tech taking over the task will ensure the tool is
cleaned/sanitized prior to use for their own protection.

Lounge and Bradley Room touch-points
The lounge and Bradley Room will both be opened this season to maximize space in the Club and
aid in the ability for members to physically distance effectively while socializing.
Tables/chairs
Will be set up to meet the guideline. They may not be moved. Teams will only be
able to socialize with their sheet 8 players after the games. Sheet markers will be placed on the
tables and you are required to sit at the assigned table.
Tables and chairs will be cleaned/sanitized after each draw.
Members can change tables once seats become available, however members are responsible for
sanitizing their old/new seat.

Positive Test Result Protocol
As COVID-19 continues to spread at the community level, there is now an increased likelihood
that members or staff may contract the virus. If you have tested positive for COVID-19, please
take the following steps:
1. Contact the club immediately at info@whitbycurlingclub.com so contact tracing and required
cleaning protocols can be initiated.
2. Contact public health immediately, if public health has not yet contacted you. Self-isolate at
home for the period recommended by public health.
3. Based on contact tracing, Club Management will identify any members that may have come in
close physical contact or prolonged contact with the infected member in the preceding forty-eight
hours from the onset of the first symptom. This should include gathering information from the
infected member and assessing their activity within the club. For instance, if they only curled and
did not stay for a drink, fewer people would have come in contact with the individual. Any such
members identified will be advised that:
a)    they may have come in close contact with a member who has contracted COVID-19.
b)    Out of an abundance of caution, they must remain in self-isolation until they have received
direction from public health or confirmation from club Management based on public health
direction.
Note: The identity of the infected member/employee will not be shared due to privacy.
4. Club Management will arrange for a deep clean of the areas and equipment potentially
impacted.

Equipment Usage and Purchase
All club brooms will be removed from the ice. All rental gripper and sliders will not be
available for members to utilize this season.
Members must purchase their own equipment for this season or arrange to rent an broom
for the duration of the season (fee + refundable deposit) based on availability.
All equipment will be put online for member purchasing, removing all equipment displays
to eliminate touch-points and maximize floor space.

Return to Curl
The Whitby Curling Club will follow all Curling Canada Return to Play guidelines. Full Return
to Play Guide can be found: HERE

No handshakes will be allowed, curlers are encouraged to find another method of comradery
either tapping brooms or a friendly wave to start the game.
Do not use spinner to decide hammer in the first end.
Masks will always be required to be worn in the building. The only exceptions are: when on your
designated curling sheet (ie feet on your sheet). Masks must be worn at all other times, including
leaving the ice surface to use the washroom or use a measuring device.

Players stay on the same side of the sheet. For example, if you are playing on sheet 2, always walk
or position yourself on the sideline to sheet 1. This will keep players 10 feet apart.
Ice Decals and markings will be added to the ice surface and backboards to assist players with
where to stand.
Each teams can choose to have two sweepers and the opposing skip be able to sweep behind T-
Line, our recommendation is to continue with one sweeper and no sweeping behind the T, until a
full review of the effects of the variant is felt.

Non-Delivering Team:
The two sweepers of the non-delivering team should be positioned on the marking while the
other team is throwing. The player of the non-delivering team whose turn it is next
to deliver should be positioned at hogline on the same side as the two sweepers or on the
backboard. The Skip (or Vice-Skip) will stand on the backboards but no closer than the hack.
Delivering Team:
The Skip has control of the house. The player whose turn it is to deliver is in the hack. The
sweeping player is at the T-Line, follow sweep on alternate side.
Once the stone has been released, the player who delivered the stone proceeds down the centre
line of the ice until the halfway point to the marking or to the hog line if it is their turn next or
return to the backboard. After the stone comes to rest, the sweeper/follow sweeper proceeds to
the halfway markings.

Playing Time
Curlers are no longer required to play for a minimum amount of time.
Modified bell rules have been established no new end 40 minutes before next draw (6:45 no new
end after 8:20, 4:30 no new ends after 6:05) to ensure adequate time for exiting the ice and ice
prep/sanitization.

League Considerations
Leagues are no longer capped at 50 players.
Spares will be allowed for the 2021-2022 season

Ancillary Events
All Bonspiel coordinators need to provide a proposal to the board ahead of registration opening for
their event to receive approval to run event. A template will be provided. A Member of the Return
to Play and Safety Committee will liase with all bonspiel coordinators to ensure they have all
necessary information and answer questions ahead of submission to board.

Strategy for all rental events (ice/hall/kitchen) to be completed by Club Management and added to
this document when completed.

All 2021-2022 Club fundraising events will be reviewed by the Board to ensure they can adhere to
the guidelines.

Bar Protocol
The Whitby Curling Club will follow all Government regulations for bar and restaurant facilities. Club
Management to stay current on all guidelines and changes.
The Curling Club will be moving to Table Service instead of traditional line-ups.
All orders are to be placed by TEXTING 289-685-9809 and including the following information:
     Full Name
     Draw Time
     Drink order
     Table Assigned
     Lounge or Bradley Room
Members are asked to remain seated unless approaching the bar to pay their tab, using the
washroom facilities or exiting the building.
Before you leave your seat in the lounge your mask/face covering must be worn.
     Tables/chairs will be set up to meet the guideline. They may not be moved. Teams will only be
     able to socialize with their own sheet 8 players after the games. Sheet markers will be placed on
     the tables and you are required to sit at the assigned table.
     Tables and chairs will be cleaned/sanitized after each draw. Members can change tables once
     seats become available, however members are responsible for sanitizing their old/new seat.

Non-Compliance
All Members that do not comply with the guidelines as published will be subject to
penalty by the Curling Club, including but not limited to suspension or revoking of
membership rights for a period to a maximum of remainder of the season. Each incident
to be reviewed and voted on by board. Any loss of curling time due to suspension will be
non-refundable.

Appendices
Curling Canada Return to Play Document:
https://www.curling.ca/files/2020/07/CC-Manual_Return-to-Play_CAN_EN.pdf
    Page 29 shows on ice-social distancing

Ontario to provide proof of vaccination:
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1000779/ontario-to-require-proof-of-vaccination-in-
select-settings

Reopening Ontario:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/reopening-ontario

Face covering and face masks:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/face-coverings-and-face-masks

Please note this document can be modified at any time to ensure accuracy and compliance
with Government updates. Major modifications will be communicated within 72 hours to
the membership.