RETURN TO PLAY GUIDELINES 2020/21 SEASON 2020-09-02 - Acton Curling Club
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RETURN TO PLAY GUIDELINES
2020/21 SEASON
2020-09-02
Acton Curling Club
Return to Play Guidelines
2020/2021 Season
MESSAGE FROM YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
In our ongoing efforts to keep our membership informed and involved in the decision-making
process regarding potential ‘return to curl’ for the 2020-2021 season, we have created the Return
to Curl Guidelines. This document summarizes decisions that have been made by subcommittees
comprised of ACC board and volunteer members whose expertise has been invaluable.
We continue to work within the guidelines set forth by the Ontario Curling Association and, most
importantly, we are regulated by the current phase of provincial legislation and public health
advisories.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to navigate through these uncertain
times. As a board, our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our members.
Sincerely,
Lee Jewell
President, Acton Curling Club
Members, forming Back-to-Curl committee:
Lee Jewell, President Doug Ogilvie, Member
Elisa Schupp, Vice President Linda Peck, Member
Karen Arsenault, Treasurer Melanie Anderson-Ebel, Member
Alan Lahue, Bar Steward
September 2, 2020 P a g e |2Acton Curling Club
Return to Play Guidelines
2020/2021 Season
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Overall Club Decisions 3
Return to Curling, On-Ice Protocols 4
Lounge / Locker / Washroom Protocols 7
Cleaning 8
Bar / Kitchen / Events and Rentals Protocols 9
Membership Fees 13
APPENDIX A – On Ice Distancing 14
APPENDIX B – Frequently Asked Questions 15
September 2, 2020 P a g e |3Acton Curling Club
Return to Play Guidelines
2020/2021 Season
OVERALL CLUB DECISIONS
Closure of club to outside members / non curlers:
In consideration of the safety of our members, The Board moved and approved that we limit
attendance in the Club to members-only and known curlers for the beginning of the curling season
with a review of this policy for January 1, 2021. This will simplify answers to many immediate
questions. (Events would be in-club only, for instance if we hold them, no Rentals at first – with
the exception of our Sunday morning curling rental). This would create a ‘club-bubble’, if you will,
to help protect our members.
Wearing of masks:
We will be following standard Health protocols. Masks will be required while moving about in the
curling club at all times. This includes all common areas such as lounge, washrooms, stairwells and
in the ice rink until engaged in play. This allowance is in line with Health protocols (exception for
physical exercise), is meant to keep members physically safe on the ice, and is the protocol many
curling clubs are adopting for their own play.
Guidance from OCA on interpretation items:
As of August 10th, the OCA (in its club Re-opening Kit) has issued an interpretation on the 1
league/multiple league issue in respect to gathering limits. In the OCA interpretation, ‘an
individual can play in more than one league at a time’. The club will structure registrations on this
basis. There is also direction from the OCA (in agreement with the Ministry) that we are limited to
50 in the lounge, and 50 on the ice. To ensure physical distancing remains safe, we will not have
draw cross-overs. We will limit ourselves to only having one draw in the club at a time to enable
physical distancing regarding curler routing pre-game and post-game. Please ensure you review
your league start times when you register as they may differ slightly from last year.
September 2, 2020 P a g e |4Acton Curling Club
Return to Play Guidelines
2020/2021 Season
RETURN TO CURLING, ON-ICE PROTOCOLS
THE FOLLOWING ARE A COLLECTION OF ON-ICE PROTOCOLS THE ACTON CURLING CLUB HAS
ADOPTED FOR THE RETURN TO CURLING ON NOVEMBER 1, 2020.
• Club courtesy brooms, stabilizers and grippers/sliders will be available for rent at our bar.
We will have a limited supply available and we need to document the sanitization at the
end of each use. Our Seniors will have a separate process and supply.
• Personal equipment should be clearly marked to avoid cross use.
• Broom head brushes will not be provided.
• There will be no water cooler access so curlers should bring their own clearly marked drink
containers.
• Ice maintenance equipment (mops, brooms, dust pans) are not to be used by the curlers at
any time.
• Curlers will be required to wear their masks in the transition from the clubhouse into the
ice rink due to the potential for physical congestion.
• No player shall move any other player’s stones with their hand – it is recommended you
use your broom heads to push rocks when an end is completed.
• Hand sanitizer, garbage cans and disinfectant wipes will be available at both ends of each
sheet.
• A coin toss can be done to determine who has hammer for the first end, with the vice from
either team being the only person to handle their own coin.
• Curlers will enter the rink in reverse order (sheet 4, 3 ,2, 1) and proceed immediately to the
starting end for their sheet.
• The team with Hammer enters the rink first and practice slides (if desired) from the home
end of their sheet, maintaining physical distance. Then, they will assume the game-start
positions as outlined in the OCA guidelines. The team without hammer will then practice
slide (if desired), maintaining physical distance. Each curler will be limited to one practice
slide without a rock.
• There will be no pregame, post-game or inter-game handshakes or other physical contact.
• Only 1 sweeper will be allowed on the rock for the entire length of the ice.
• Skips/Vices may NOT sweep in the house.
• The progression of the game will be conducted following the guidelines outlined by the
OCA Return-to-Play document. (see APPENDIX A for an illustration)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ryAy1T0_5DziK1l7w8wApDZEURoPVKX2/view
September 2, 2020 P a g e |5Acton Curling Club
Return to Play Guidelines
2020/2021 Season
RETURN TO CURLING, ON-ICE PROTOCOLS ...continued
• At the conclusion of each end, the non-scoring team’s Second or Lead will remove the
rocks from the house using broom heads to do so, once the score is determined and
recorded. The rocks will be lined up in a single file, no need to worry about order. All other
curlers will proceed to their starting position for the next end, as outlined in the OCA
guidelines.
• The score for both teams will be recorded by the Vice of the team that started the game
with hammer. The score can be recorded on their phone or a club provided scorecard with
a self-provided pen.
• Every reasonable effort should be made to avoid using the rock measuring devices. If the
rock measuring devices are absolutely required, they must be wiped with disinfectant after
use. One Vice only will make the measurement. All other players will physically distance
from the house during the measurement.
• Evening games, except for Tuesdays, will be scheduled to start at 6:45 pm and 9:30 pm.
Tuesday Juniors times TBD. Daytimers morning draws will start at 8:00 am & 10:30 am
(with a limit of 30 min. lounge time). All other draws will operate at their regular times.
Games will be a maximum of 90 minutes to accommodate the new on-ice protocols. No
matter where you are in your game, you must exit the ice at the designated 90-minute
mark. The score will be recorded as the last full end played.
Sample evening timeline for 1st draw:
• 6:30 pm arrival
• Check-in is required.
• 6:45 pm start curling
• Bartender to lock front door after all curlers have arrived
• 90 minutes curl time – hard stop at 8:15 pm. No new end after 8:00 pm.
• 45 minutes allowed in lounge. All 1st draw MUST leave building by 9:00 pm.
• Door locked until 9:15 pm to ensure no early entry by 2nd draw.
• Sanitization to occur (tables, chairs, railings, door knobs, washroom touch
points; rock handles) prior to the 2nd draw entry.
• Procedures, signoffs and training to be created
Sample evening timeline for 2nd draw:
• 9:15 pm arrival (same Entry flow as previous)
• Check-in is required.
• 9:30 pm start curling. End curling at 11:00 pm.
• 45 minutes in lounge.
• Sanitization to occur once 2nd draw has left the building.
• There will be no practice ice available.
September 2, 2020 P a g e |6Acton Curling Club
Return to Play Guidelines
2020/2021 Season
RETURN TO CURLING, ON-ICE PROTOCOLS ...continued
• There will be no provision for make-up games. All games must be played at their scheduled
times. Standard forfeiture/default rules apply to all games not played at the scheduled
time.
• We will be following standard Health protocols. Masks will be required while moving about
in the curling club at all times. This includes all common areas such as lounge, washrooms,
stairwells and in the ice rink until engaged in play. This allowance is in line with Health
protocols (exception for physical exercise), is meant to keep members physically safe on
the ice, and is the protocol many curling clubs are adopting for their own play.
https://www.halton.ca/Repository/By-law-No-47-20
September 2, 2020 P a g e |7Acton Curling Club
Return to Play Guidelines
2020/2021 Season
LOUNGE/LOCKER/WASHROOMS PROTOCOL
Objectives:
• To follow all Provincial and Regional Restrictions and Guidelines.
• Current Provincial and Regional Restrictions:
o Halton Region By- Law No. 47-20: A temporary by-law to require the wearing of
Non-medical Masks/Face Coverings in Enclosed Public Places.
o Indoor gathering limits restricted to a maximum of 50 people in the clubhouse.
THE FOLLOWING ARE A COLLECTION OF LOUNGE/LOCKER/WASHROOMS PROTOCOLS THE
ACTON CURLING CLUB HAS ADOPTED FOR THE RETURN TO CURLING ON NOVEMBER 1, 2020.
• Outdoor signage including Covid 19 questions, Mask notice, occupancy limits, hours of
operation, No Visitors directive and contact info to be hung at entranceway, lounge and
washrooms.
• Ensure social distancing in vestibule area – a limit of 2 people only. Others must wait
outside the front door. Waiting markers to be placed outside on ramp.
• Curlers to arrive no earlier than 15 minutes prior to your scheduled draw time. Proceed
directly to the lounge area to your assigned seating.
• A Non-Medical Mask or Face Covering must be worn at all times inside the vestibule,
lounge area and washrooms. Members must supply and be responsible for their own
mask/face covering. Club to purchase and have a supply of extra masks in case a curler
shows up without one.
• At least while in Stage 3, a greeter will be assigned as a volunteer duty for each draw. We
are suggesting this person be from the draw curling or board member. Greeter will show
up 20 minutes before draw.
Greeter Responsibilities:
a. Record the entry of each curler playing on that draw. A checklist will be provided for
the draw. All spares will need to be recorded.
b. Direct Curlers on proper storage of coats and outdoor footwear.
c. Direct Curlers to the proper changing / staging area
• Hand Sanitizing stations be setup in numerous locations throughout the club, especially the
front door. All Curlers will hand sanitize when entering.
• No Children, Youth, Visitors or Spectators allowed in the club during Adult leagues.
• No outside food will be allowed in the lounge.
• Curlers are to arrive prepared to curl, there will be no access to lockers or locker rooms to change
clothes.
September 2, 2020 P a g e |8Acton Curling Club
Return to Play Guidelines
2020/2021 Season
LOUNGE/LOCKER/WASHROOMS PROTOCOL, continued…
• Tables will be assigned to curlers based upon the sheet they’re playing. The tables will only have 4
seats per table for one assigned team. Coats and sports bags can be stored on / under chairs.
• Washroom usage will be posted and limited to 2 curlers at a time.
Cleaning:
• All touch points and washrooms will be cleaned daily.
• Bartenders and / or volunteers will be responsible for sanitizing tables, chairs and door
handles after the 1st draw when there are two draws.
• All sanitizing efforts will be documented and signed off on.
• Some additional training and protocols will need to be put in place to ensure a safe return
to play.
• The Ice Technician will sanitize touch points in the ice rink. With the help of volunteers, all
rocks will be sanitized before each draw.
September 2, 2020 P a g e |9Acton Curling Club
Return to Play Guidelines
2020/2021 Season
BAR/KITCHEN/EVENTS AND RENTAL PROTOCOLS
Current Provincial and Regional Restrictions:
1. Halton Region By- Law No. 47-20: A temporary by-law to require the wearing of Non-Medical
Masks/Face Coverings in Enclosed Public Places.
2. Halton Region COVID-19 Public Health Guidelines: Restaurants, Bars, Food Trucks and other
Food and Drink Establishments.
3. Indoor gathering limits restricted to a maximum of 50 people on the ice and 50 people in the
lounge.
4. Ontario Regulation 493/17 Health Protection and Promotion Act, Food Premises: the curling
club must abide by the standards noted in the Act for the kitchen including: Operation and
Maintenance; Cleaning and Sanitizing; Sanitary Facilities; Food Handling; Commodities
including meat and meat products, milk and milk products, eggs.
BOARD DECISIONS:
• Your health, “Return to curling” and all safety considerations are the board’s first priority;
therefore, kitchen, staging events and rentals are secondary.
• We are recommending that members must get used to the policies of return to play and
use and flow of the lounge area before other activities restart.
• We respect and understand that many members have concerns about proper protocols
being put in place to ensure the health and safety of all members.
THE FOLLOWING ARE A COLLECTION OF BAR/KITCHEN/EVENTS AND RENTAL PROTOCOLS THE
ACTON CURLING CLUB HAS ADOPTED FOR THE RETURN TO CURLING ON NOVEMBER 1, 2020.
• Cashless payments will be preferred.
• Masks required when ordering and picking up drinks. Masks may be removed while a
curler is seated at their table.
• Designated area for bar line up (decals will be visible along the wall with the fireplace).
Each member to only handle their own drink.
• Selection of bar products may be reduced if there are significantly less members.
• Bar customers from the first draw must leave the club at the end of their allotted 45 min.
lounge time and a min. of 15 min. prior to scheduled second draw arrival time.
• Bartender and / or volunteer to sanitize all touch points in the lounge area after the first
draw has left the building – signoffs will be required.
• TV – bartender will have remotes and will be the only ones allowed to work TV
September 2, 2020 P a g e | 10Acton Curling Club
Return to Play Guidelines
2020/2021 Season
BAR/KITCHEN/EVENTS AND RENTAL PROTOCOLS, continued…
• No water jug to be placed on bar.
• The Kitchen will only be used for the making and serving of coffee. The kitchen is off limits
to all but the volunteer server designated for each applicable (daytime) draw:
• This individual will at all times be wearing a non-medical mask or face covering as well
as disposable gloves.
• This individual will be responsible for preparation of coffee and serving same. No other
members will have contact with the coffee pot.
• The server will also ensure supplies (ie. Creamers, sugar packets, stir sticks) are on hand
and will dispense to individual curlers as requested. Members will be required to
supply their own mug which will be presented for filling by the server with any queue
running to the east of the counter (towards the windows) with mandatory 6 ft. spacing.
As per Halton region bylaw, curlers must wear masks must be when away from their
assigned table.
• At the conclusion of each draw’s lounge time, a clean-up checklist will be followed and
signed off on by the volunteer. This will consist of the following:
- any coffee pots in use will be emptied and thoroughly washed
- The serving counter and fridge door handle will be wiped down and sanitized.
- All potential contact points ie. lounge tables, chairs, door knobs, railings will be
wiped down and sanitized prior to arrival of the next draw (second volunteer).
• Rentals / Events to start after restrictions on numbers in the lounge are relaxed. The Board
has previously decided that there will be no Rentals (except for the Sunday morning curling
league) for the remainder of 2020 and will be reviewed for 2021.
• Bartenders sign in as part of normal procedures.
• Reporting of positive Covid-19 tests for Bartenders must follow the requirements as per
the Declaration of Compliance.
September 2, 2020 P a g e | 11Acton Curling Club
Return to Play Guidelines
2020/2021 Season
BAR/KITCHEN/EVENTS AND RENTAL PROTOCOLS, continued…
Personal Protective Equipment (P.P.E.):
• Plexiglass partition will be installed at the bar.
• Bartenders and kitchen staff to use their own masks. Spare masks will be available in the
event masks are forgotten or if a mask fails during use.
• Gloves will be provided for bartenders. Appropriate posters to be installed.
• Sanitizer dispensers will be located in the bar and entrance to Club and entrance to lounge
outside the washrooms & on every end of every sheet of ice – which will be monitored and
refilled by the bartenders.
September 2, 2020 P a g e | 12Acton Curling Club
Return to Play Guidelines
2020/2021 Season
MEMBERSHIP FEES
Once the registration is complete (i.e. September 30, 2020) the Board will assess whether there
are enough playing members to open. If the registrations are less than approximately 155 adult
memberships, the club will not open, and any amounts paid will be reimbursed.
If the club opens, and then has to close due to Health regulations (ie. Reverting back to Stage 2)
regarding Covid-19, the amount of any refund will be based upon the length of the season played.
September 2, 2020 P a g e | 13Acton Curling Club
Return to Play Guidelines
2020/2021 Season
APPENDIX A – ON ICE DISTANCING
September 2, 2020 P a g e | 14Acton Curling Club
Return to Play Guidelines
2020/2021 Season
APPENDIX B - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Did the initial survey include enough “yes” votes to warrant opening the club?
The survey was not a binding declaration on whether someone would curl or not. It was a
broad question to get an indication on member appetite. The board was comfortable
enough with the response in deciding to move ahead and put the necessary energy into
developing a plan, rather than closing for the year and not spending time on it.
2. Why is the Youth league shown as TBD?
At this point, we are awaiting the Return to Play guidelines covering Youth, Special
Olympics and LTC (Learn to Curl) categories so that we can determine how, and if, these
leagues can return to play safely.
3. How will non-returning members be viewed by the board/club?
Members who do not return will not be viewed poorly. The board respects that it is a big
decision for members and there will be folks that simply will not play (that they either feel
the protocols are not stringent enough, or not until a vaccine is developed). The protocols
will not likely please everyone. For as many who view them as too loose, there will be
many who view them as too tight.
4. When did the OCA back-to-curling guidelines come out, and don’t they tell a club how to
do it?
The OCA guidelines came out July 6th, so only very recently. They give guidelines on how
things can look (for on-ice games for instance), and give multiple options and/or thoughts
that a club should consider for running their leagues, sheets, timing of games, curler
movement, waivers, etc. It is fairly comprehensive; it outlines many things that need
consideration (but not exactly how it must be done), and emphasizes that local
government regulations are top of mind to incorporate. It is up to the club to choose how
they will run their club, within these parameters. As you can imagine, there are many
decisions to be made at each and every club.
September 2, 2020 P a g e | 15Acton Curling Club
Return to Play Guidelines
2020/2021 Season
5. Why did we close club to non-members until further notice (will be re-evaluated for Jan 1)?
The thought here is that we more or less can trust our fellow members. Outside curlers and
participants are one step further afield, and we cannot be as comfortable that they have
been following same protocols as folks in our own club (so pose incrementally more
risk to our members). We are creating a ‘club bubble’, if you will, for the time being.
6. How can I participate in developing protocol, or provide my thoughts into the process?
Members can reach out to volunteers@actoncurlingclub.com. Please state where your
interest lies with regard to providing assistance. We will be looking for volunteers from
every draw to assist in sanitizing, greeting, help with the flow of play, etc. As far as general
input or thoughts, any member can submit them directly to
president@actoncurlingclub.com or to another director.
7. Will our club protocols be required or optional?
This is all up for discussion, debate and decisioning. Over the next weeks, the club
protocols will be developed, communicated, refined, and set. Once protocols are agreed
to, we would expect the entire membership to comply for the safety of all.
8. Will we be able to use the lounge and/or locker rooms?
As of today, we are only allowing the use of our lounge to one draw at a time. Social
distancing and adequate disinfecting will be top of mind.
9. Should I register now?
To facilitate the Board's planning process, we encourage all members to register as soon as
possible. If a member decides later to revise their decision to curl, before the curling
season begins, there will be no financial penalty (note: once your registration is submitted,
changes can only be made by the Membership Director - therefore requests should be sent
to membership@actoncurlingclub.com).
The Board requests that 2019/20 members who decide not to register for 2020/21
advise the Membership Director to reduce unnecessary follow-up effort.
September 2, 2020 P a g e | 16Acton Curling Club
Return to Play Guidelines
2020/2021 Season
10. If I register as a Social member will I be able to access the curling club during the season?
No, you will not be allowed entrance into the club. Until the Board approves non-curlers
entering the club, only those who are curling will be allowed access.
11. Why is the registration fee not adjusted given that we are starting 3 weeks later than
normal?
We anticipate that our overhead costs will be increasing as a result of the enhanced
cleaning requirements. We also anticipate an overall reduction in revenue to cover our
fixed expenses (reduction in membership, no locker revenue, reduced rentals revenue).
12. The 20/21 curling season at the Club is now scheduled to start November 1. If the season
begins as planned and the Club is subsequently required to cease operations by the Halton
health authorities, will refunds be issued to curling members?
If the club opens, and then has to close due to Health regulations (ie. Reverting back to
Stage 2) regarding Covid-19, the amount of any refund will be based upon the length of the
season played.
13. The ability to request a locker rental has been removed from the registration form. Does
this mean lockers will not be available during the season?
Lockers will be zip tied shut and are not available for use. The Board will re-evaluate this in
Jan., 2021. Members will change shoes/get ready in lounge. If/when it is subsequently
determined it is safe to allow use of the lockers, there will be a minimal charge.
14. How do I sign up if I want to curl in a team entry league, but my team is not curling? How
do I sign up a team with missing members? If someone on my team is not playing, how can
I find someone without a team to pick up?
Register in the league you are interested in joining and put “Assign” in the missing spots
(3 spots if just you). After the September 30th registration deadline, the Membership
Director will work with the league conveners and league skips to draw from the pool of
players that have registered to help create new teams or help add players to existing
teams.
September 2, 2020 P a g e | 17You can also read
