www.plainvillecitizen.com
Volume 19, Number 26
Thursday, August 6, 2020
CIAC lays out plan to play fall sports By Greg Lederer Record-Journal staff
On Friday at noon, the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference put out a new plan for fall sports. The packet provided a new timeline for athletes and coaches to compete and safely deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
Manager Jason Scagliarini wipes down a ball return between customers at Lessard Lanes, 136 New Britain Ave., Plainville. Most area alleys have opened back up, and Lessard Lanes has made many adjustments to make their bowlers feel safe. Photos by Dave Zajac, Record-Journal
Bowling alleys try to rebound from coronavirus shutdown Bowling is one of the recreational activities allowed under Phase II of Connecticut’s reopening plan. Most area alleys have opened back up and a few are close to opening. In Plainville, Lessard Lanes has made adjustments to make bowlers feel safe.
Owner Marcel Lessard started with a soft opening plan June 17, the first day of Phase II. The soft opening was just for league bowlers. All other bowlers were welcomed back on July 1. “It’s been slow,” Lessard said. “Bowling in general is down. But that allows us time to prepare for leagues in the fall. All of our camps, fundraiser's and anything
with large groups has been canceled because of the pandemic.” Leagues have been the mainstay at Lessard since reopening. The league reaches full capacity of 50 bowlers each of the three “League Nights” per week. “Bowling is tremendously different than it used to be,” See Bowling, A12
Cross country, field hockey, soccer, girls’ swimming and diving, and volleyball squads will be allowed to play 12 regular-season games, while football teams are being limited to six. Football programs can play once a week, while the other sports will be allowed to compete twice.
If post-season tournaments can be run safely, contests will run from Oct. 31 through Nov. 15. There will be no football played on Thanksgiving this year. All schools are asked to come up with a regional schedule between just CIAC programs. Regional play was chosen to limit and mitigate the possible spread of the coronavirus. There will be no out-ofstate games. The CIAC also wants schools to come up with a COVID-19 Advisory Committee to address health and safety issues. At practices and games, coaches and athletes are being advised to self screen themselves for signs of an illness.
For fan attendance, the CIAC is giving school districts the opportunity to make a plan for their venues and follow the Cross country teams are guidance from the state of asked to end their regular- Connecticut.
Plainville’s oldest funeral home with over 130 years of serving the community. Blaire L. Bouchard – Funeral Director 48 Broad Street Plainville, CT 06062 • 860-747-2295 • Bailey-FuneralHome.com
R225886
By Sean Krofssik Record-Journal staff
The season will have a three-week conditioning period, starting with athletes coming together in cohorts of 15 on Aug. 27. With full teams and contact, the first scrimmages can begin on Sept. 11 and then all programs can start regular-season action on Sept. 24.
season schedule by Oct. 29. Remaining sports will have an extra day.