Abbotsford Curling Club

May 2021 Update from the Board

May 6, 2021 T. White

Greetings from The Board,

I hope everyone is doing well in this latest round of Covid ups and downs. It seems that we take two steps forward and four steps back all in the same month. April was no different. However, though I hesitate to even think of it, maybe the light at the end of the tunnel in May, is not a train but a gradual relaxation of some of the restrictions that will return us to a more normal life.

The Board held their last regular meeting of the year in April and barring emergent circumstances will not be meeting again until August. There are few changes to report from the last update. To review; while we lost money this season, we have funds to commence the 2021/22 season and we are still planning to have a regular curling season starting at the end of September. The Calendar of events is now posted on the web site and some important dates are listed below.

The Annual General Meeting, scheduled for September 22, will be a virtual as well as an in-person meeting. The virtual link and the pertinent information will be sent out in early September. Please plan to attend one way or the other.

We secured a New Horizons grant which is being used to renovate the two upstairs washrooms. The renovations should be completed by start of the curling season. We were also successful in securing a gaming grant which will support our junior programs and equipment purchases. We are hoping to apply for a Federal accessibility grant to give us a fully wheelchair accessible washroom in the lower lounge.

I don’t think anyone predicted April 2021 to be a big Covid step backward to conditions like last fall. However, vaccinations are proceeding at an ever-increasing pace, the curve is slowly bending downward, the weather is improving, people are outside in the sun and despite some setbacks, I am more hopeful that we will be able to enjoy a normal curling season starting September 23. That is nearly 5 months away. A lot can happen in that much time. We will monitor both the positive and the negative events and adjust if necessary. The key to a successful season next year is to have our regular curlers return to participate in the many events Kent has planned and for all of us to encourage new curlers to join us. We were, are and will continue to be a social, fun bunch of folks!

Have a safe, fun filled wonderful summer with your family and friends!

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Gord Wallington

President, ACC

March 2021 Update from the Board

March 4, 2021March 4, 2021 T. White

I hope that everyone has made it through this winter, a winter like no other. It has been a long grind, often isolated from family and friends with nothing much to do. Netflix, crossword puzzles and internet meetings can only carry us so far and spring is a welcome light on the horizon.

As the extensions of the COVID-19 restrictions continued, the closure of the club in mid- November has proven to be a prudent decision. It was a difficult choice but the right thing to do. While I am sure some of our members have contracted COVID-19, I am thankful that no cases can be attributed to the curling rink.

The Board wants to thank Kent for generously agreeing to reduce his management contract for the last 5 months of this year. While his time has also been reduced, the lull has given him an opportunity to review and work with the Board on our sponsorship and membership programs, revamp our online registration package and plan our activities for next year. It has been time well spent.

We also want to thank those curlers who were able to donate the unused portion of their fees to the club. These two sources of funds helped us to limit this year’s losses as we had ongoing expenses for power and heat
and loss of income from fees, bar revenues, events, and bonspiels. The contingency fund is untouched and there is money to fully repay both of the CEBA grants we received from the Federal government.

We will have sufficient funds to open the club next September. For all the details, plan to attend the AGM on September 22. The Board and the Management team have been very frugal.

We are planning to have a normal curling season next year. After the last two up-dates from the PHO, I am much more positive that this can happen. There may still be some restrictions, but it seems we should all have our vaccination by late summer. There may still be some things we need to do but we are pretty good at adapting to changing conditions. After a year of no curling, we are hopeful that our membership will return in full force and will bring their friends and neighbours with them.

Kent has planned for full leagues and allowed for new league opportunities. He has planned a full calendar of events with club bonspiels and fun activities of all kinds, Curl BC championships, and open bonspiels. It
will be a busy year. We will need a lot of volunteers. We will have opportunities to replenish our coffers and to plan and complete further club improvements. I look forward to our planned opening on September 23.

The calendar of events and the list of Bonspiels and dates are posted on the web site.

Stay tuned for further information.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, we wish you good luck with your vaccination and a wonderful sunny spring!

Take Care and Be Safe!

Gord Wallington
President ACC

Closed for the Season

December 15, 2020 T. White

Hi All Abbotsford Curlers,

We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy during these difficult times.

Your curling club BOD has decided to cancel curling for the remainder of the 2020/21 curling season. We now will start planning and look forward to opening up again in September 2021 when we can have a more ‘normal’ curling season with regular events and activities.

This was again another very difficult decision to make but we believe it is the safest and best decision at this time. We all agreed that the existing order will most likely be extended past January 8 and the number of COVID cases is most likely to rise over the next few weeks. With that in mind we feel it is best to end the season now so we don’t have to continue to wonder if / when we will open. We can now focus on just staying safe and getting through this pandemic so we can enjoy the upcoming golf and ball season.

We also want ask you to consider the possibility of donating your league fees or a portion thereof to the club to help cover the costs of operating this season. The club has operated the last 5 years in the black and built up some savings to ensure the future of the club is positive and we will stay open, however this year we will have operated at a loss, how much of a loss will depend on how much is refunded to our curlers. I know this is a lot to ask of our curlers during these difficult times but if you have the means the club would greatly appreciate any donations at this time; after all this is your club and the success will depend on all of you.

We will have the refund policy finalized and available this week for those in need of a refund of their curling league fees.

I personally want to thank all of you for your understanding, patience and support during these difficult times and I look forward to seeing you all healthy and safe in September 2021. So Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone, please stay safe and keep healthy over the holiday season.

If anyone has any questions please email the office or just respond to this email.

Stay Safe everyone !!!!!

Cheers,

Kent & Della

Updated Reopening – Jan. 11

December 8, 2020 T. White

Due to the extension of the current public health order until midnight of January 8th, our planned re-opening date has been changed to January 11th.

We will re-assess if any changes to curling are announced.

Have a wonderful, safe, holiday season!

ACC

Curling is Back Nov. 22!

November 20, 2020 T. White

Hi All Abbotsford Curlers,

We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy during these difficult times.

The curling club BOD has decided to open back up for curling on Sunday November 22, subject to any changes in the PHO order.

The changes we are implementing are:

Changing / splitting draw times to accommodate social distancing.
a. Games on sheets #1,3,5 will start at original scheduled draw time.
b. Games on sheets #2,4,6 will start 15 minutes after the scheduled start time. Please DO NOT arrive more than 15 minutes before your game time.
Maximum 24 people allowed in the lower lounge at one time.
Masks mandatory on the ice.
Bar will be open starting Monday night.
Game will be over after 2 hours or less.
Anyone living outside the Fraser health region can NOT play at this time.
Monday doubles games will all start at 6pm as scheduled.
League reps will be in contact with all of the players to confirm game times and rules.

We would like to know if anyone will NOT be returning so we can plan the curling schedule accordingly. We completely understand for those not wanting to return to curling and we know there are some people who do want to curl as well.

So anyone who will NOT return to curling please respond to manager@abbotsfordcurling.com. Everyone else I will assume will be returning. See you all next week.

If anyone has any questions please email the office.

Stay Safe everyone !!!!!

Cheers,
Kent & Della