Heather Curling Club Cancels 2020-’21 Season

Heather Curling Club Cancels 2020-’21 Season

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

Members of the Heather Curling Club have decided to cancel the 2020-’21 season.

That news was delivered to members of town council during their legislative committee meeting Sept. 22. Community Services Director Phil Rowe told council he had received a letter from the Heather Curling Club advising him of the decision.

A representative from the club did confirm it was an executive decision based on budget and COVID-19 health restrictions.

Mayor Tim MacPhee said, “Well, as a curler myself, I’m disappointed. I understand why the season can’t go ahead, but I do enjoy the sport.”

Jill Richard, Executive Director of Curling Alberta, said, “With more than 170 members curling clubs, we have confirmed that only two, so far, will elect not to open this season. Those clubs included the Chestermere Curling Club and the Heather Curling Club.

A return to play guidelines has been developed for boards of directors, volunteers, and managers of curling rinks in Alberta.

It states, “These guidelines were designed for eight people per sheet of ice with physical distancing recommendations. Curling Alberta recommends that all curling centres adopt these guidelines to the best of their ability for club-level play including bonspiels, rentals, and various programs, recognizing that each curling centre is unique (please refer to the Sanctioned Competitions section for guidance specific to competitive play).

Our best efforts to be compliant will keep our communities safer and allow us to collectively promote curling as a low-risk and accessible opportunity to stay active, social, and involved with the sport. If your club chooses to adopt an alternate approach such as cohorting among teams or other groups such as entire leagues (i.e. to allow two sweepers and other relaxed physical distancing practices) please refer to Alberta’s applicable guidance and carefully consider the increased risks.”

The 36-page document covers risk assessment, layout and navigation, ice making and curling equipment, cleaning protocol, hygiene, miscellaneous considerations, rules about lessons, bonspiels, and competitions. All programs should follow the guidelines set out by Alberta Health Services.