Updated April 12, 2022
Masks are now optional in all areas of the club facility.
However, given that that we are in the midst of yet another wave of COVID-19 infections, the board does encourage members to continue to wear a mask and maintain social distancing.
Please respect all members personal choices with respect to masks.
Updated February 23, 2022
The Province of Ontario has announced further relaxation of Covid restrictions.
Your Board of Directors have discussed these changes and have agreed to follow the above noted Provincial Government directions regarding Covid 19 as per our past practice. This means that effective March 1st at 12:01am:
- Both vaccinated and unvaccinated members and day members will be accessing the WBC.
- Fobs will be restored for all members to permit access.
- Masking will still be necessary and enforced for all members in the lounge area and locker rooms.
- Self screening will continue to be necessary for all members prior to entering the club.
As noted by Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health; we are not out of this pandemic yet and it is the personal responsibility of every one of us to follow the necessary measures in place to prevent infection and to decide what level of risk we are prepared to accept in our daily interactions.
It is my hope that we can all embrace these changes with consideration for everyone’s safety and viewpoints and slowly return to the vibrant and welcoming members club that we are all so proud to belong to.
Thank you for your consideration and support throughout these challenging times.
Updated January 27, 2022
The Woodstock Badminton Club will be fully reopened to members effective Monday January 31 at 12:01am. Fobs will be restored to allow access to the club.
In keeping with our previous determination regarding the interpretation of these restrictions; in particular the limitation of access to 50 percent capacity; we confirm that these restrictions return us to full operational court status and modified lounge access in order to maintain compliance. The only events that would challenge these new restrictions would be a very large rental event or a tournament…both of which are not within our current plans.
So in conclusion, it is business as usual! You do not have to use the Reservation Tool to book an online use of the courts. Nor do you need to reduce the number of players on the courts and all four courts are in play. The regular schedule of both Badminton and Pickleball continues to apply and non-members (day members) and our Southgate visitors are welcome. We continue to provide our facility for rental to members and outsiders.
You do need to:
- continue to mask and ensure social distancing in the lounge.
- sign in each visit for tracing.
- ensure that you are double vaccinated to enter the club.
- Continue to self screen prior to entry and please do not enter the club if you are symptomatic.
Thank you for your assistance and cooperation in these efforts to keep our members safe and our club compliant with these new Provincial Regulations.
Updated January 3, 2022
The Province of Ontario is now implementing additional Covid restrictions in response to the increasing spread of the Omicron variant. The new measures will kick in on Wednesday, Jan. 5 at 12:01 a.m. and will remain in effect for at least 21 days, until Jan. 26/22 and includes the Woodstock Badminton Club as a facility that provides Sport activities.
Woodstock Badminton Club will be closed to all uses and members effective Wednesday January 5 at 12:01am. Signage to this effect will be posted on all entrances and Fobs will be disengaged to prevent any unauthorized access to the club. There will be no rentals allowed or use by other community agencies during this period.
We note that this is not the way we hoped this New Year would begin and trust that this is not for a long period of closure as experienced last year. We will continue to monitor this situation daily and will keep all members apprised of any changes to these measures or when we can reopen.
Thank you for your assistance and cooperation in these efforts to keep our members safe and our club compliant with these new Provincial Regulations.
Updated September 6, 2021
The Province of Ontario is now implementing a proof of vaccination program in order to access certain facilities and services. This goes into effect on September 22, 2021 and includes the Woodstock Badminton Club as a facility that will require proof of double vaccination in order to access. Specific details from the Ontario Province are as follows:
“To further protect Ontarians as the province continues to confront the Delta-driven fourth wave of the COVID-19, the government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, will require people to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of their vaccination status to access certain businesses and settings starting September 22, 2021. Requiring proof of vaccination in these settings reduces risk and is an important step to encourage every last eligible Ontarian to get their shot, which is critical to protecting the province’s hospital capacity, while also supporting businesses with the tools they need to keep customers safe, stay open and minimize disruptions.
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 government identification to access certain public settings and facilities. This approach focuses on higher-risk indoor public settings where face coverings cannot always be worn and includes facilities used for sports and fitness activities and personal fitness training, such as gyms, fitness and recreational facilities.
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.
Ontarians currently have access to a paper or PDF vaccine receipt that includes all relevant information to prove that they are fully vaccinated. As of September 22, Ontarians will be required to show their vaccine receipt when entering designated settings along with another piece of photo identification, such as a driver’s licence or health card. This is similar initial implementation approach announced in British Columbia. Attached is a link to the website below:
Ontario COVID-19 vaccination service (ontariohealth.ca)
In advance of the September 22nd deadline, we are asking for all members to forward a scanned copy or picture of their 2nd Vaccination Paper Receipt or an electronic (pdf) copy of their Ontario Health Vaccination Record to Carol Bossenberry at membership@woodstockbadmintonclub.org . This needs to be in our hands by September 21st to have a completed checklist of vaccinated members to facilitate entry. All entry fobs will be deactivated for any members who have not provided this information by this due date, and they will only be provided access and reactivation of their Fob once acceptable proof of vaccination is provided to the WBC Board or our designated Opener (Mark Thompson).
To get and download a pdf copy of your medical vaccine:
- Got to https://covid19.ontariohealth.ca/
- Click on “I have read and understand terms
- Click Continue
- Fill in form and click continue
- Select vaccine receipt
- Select 2nd dose receipt for download (We only need proof of 2nd vaccine shot).
Thank you for your assistance and cooperation in these efforts to keep our members safe and our club compliant with these new Provincial Regulations.
Updated July 17, 2021
Further to the July 9th message regarding the Reopening Plan for the Woodstock Badminton Club on Friday July 16, 2021; please note the following changes:
- Details of the restrictions for Step 3 include the reopening of our facility to members at 50% capacity. We have received clarification that this is based on our Fire Code for total occupancy which is 297 persons for the entire club.
- All 4 Courts are now available for doubles play during Badminton and Pickleball scheduled sessions and for open time spots.
- Capacity in the lounge and court area in total will be restricted to no more than 50 people due to social distancing (16 on the courts and 34 in the lounge)
- Use of the online screening tool is still required to facilitate tracing by Southwestern Health Unit.
- Masks and face coverings are still mandatory in the Club lounge area and downstairs.
- Club is only open for members in good standing or for new/renewal members (paid membership and waiver completion mandatory before stepping onto a court due to insurance regulations).
- 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.
Updated July 9, 2021
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,