Today Premier Ford has announced that the province is moving into Step 3 of their Covid-19 Roadmap to Reopen effective 12:01 a.m. Friday July 16, 2021.
Details of the restrictions for Step 3 include the reopening of our facility to members at 50% capacity. We are interpreting this to mean that we can operate 50% of our courts (or 2 out of the 4 courts for double play) at any given time. To this end we are reactivating the online Reservation Tool which will allow up to 12 members to book into a predesignated schedule slot for badminton or pickleball. Open time spots will also be available and restricted to the reserving of only 2 courts for full play. Capacity in the lounge area will also be restricted to no more than 12 people. This means that there can be a total of 20 people in the club (8 on the courts and 12 in the lounge) at this stage of the reopening plan.
Please remember to complete the screening tool process during your booking. The confirmation of your booking is your assertion that you have completed this screening process and are declaring yourself safe to enter the Club. If your health status changes prior to your booking, then please refrain from entering the club. Masks and face coverings as well as physical distancing is still required.
Please note that this is a very fluid situation, and the province will remain in Step 3 for at least 21 days and until 80% of those eligible, aged 12 and over, have at least on shot of a Covid-19 vaccine, and 75% are fully immunized with both doses. Our hope is to be fully operational by the end of August and we will continue to be guided by the provincial government and Badminton Ontario.
I would also like to take this opportunity to remind members that the non-programmed time slots (off hours) are available for either sport and may result in both sports being played at the same time on different courts. When making this reservation please precede your name with a P (for pickleball) or B (for Badminton) so that other people making a reservation can see who and what sport is already been booked. That provides members with an informed decision in the event that they choose to not want to play under these conditions. I highly recommend that when these situations occur that an unused court is maintained between the 2 in use courts wherever possible for safety purposes. Your cooperation and consideration goes a long way to ensure that our Club is a welcoming environment for all.
Finally, I have noted that the Waterloo Region is expected to join Ontario in entering Step 3 of the province’s recovery plan on July 16.
All current memberships will be reactivated Friday July 16th, 2021 and new expiry dates will be issued in due course.
Stay safe and be well,
Terry Dunnigan, President WBC
