COVID-19 UPDATE #10
MEME ME!

Bowling Daily is a new company out of BC that is creating high quality bowling specific posts that will save any centre time and effort when it comes to staying active online. Throughout this crisis Bowling Daily are offering up bowling memes, and other content, free of charge, to the Bowl Canada community. Principal Chris Bunnage, who is based out of McCurdy Bowl in Kelowna, encourages all members to visit bowlingdaily.com and copy/paste any images available for use as desired. It is mostly tenpin content that is available currently but as you can see above the fivepin content is in the works as well. Are Duckpin and Candlepin next Chris?

If you have any bowling specific images (especially fivepin) please contribute to the cause by emailing Chris at info@bowlingdaily.com . so they can be used for further content creation.
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Sign up is free, with no commitment, and only requires an email so they know which bowling centres are utilizing their services.

 
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT UPDATE

  • Prime Minister Trudeau today announced a new initiative he will be working on with Premiers across Canada which will bring relief to businesses like ours in a potentially big way. The new Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance program will provide support for businesses paying rent for the months of APRIL, MAY and JUNE. Details are not yet available as provinces and territories, who govern and have jurisdiction over the rules of renting/leasing, need to be brought in on discussions. Watch for more information in the coming week.

  • The Canada Emergency Business Account has again seen a loosening of conditions for loan acceptance. Liquor licensing is no longer a red line, and now businesses no longer need $50,000+ in salaries to qualify as the minimum salary requirement has been reduced to $20,000. Great news, and remember... while not perfect, this benefit allows businesses, under certain conditions, to NOT HAVE TO REPAY $10,000 of the $40,000 guaranteed loan... and it's interest free for the first year.


TAKE-OUT DAY

In Toronto, and very likely in your area as well, Wednesday (or some common day) has been deemed "Take Out Day", where citizens are encouraged to support their local businesses who offer take out. Smiles all around... mom doesn't have to cook meatloaf (again!) and businesses get some relief in cashflow.

If you have the ability to provide take out services, be sure to get on board with this and invite your community to support you. You can always dedicate some of the proceeds to assist with your staff support as well.

T-Birds Food Fun Games in Brandon, MB has been on this for a few weeks now and it's proving a success. They opened up their delivery and curb side pick up service and orders are starting to come in with members and regular clientele support of $2,400.00 to date.  Check out their FLYER . They also offer grocery sales... which clocked in at $1,800 this week and pre-sales so far of $400.00 for next week. And with the flyer reaching their league members by email and snail-mail tomorrow they expect to see sales moving up, and with an average 20% markup on the menu it's a great value to the consumer, and they in turn support their local bowling centre.


REFUNDS EN ROUTE

Refund cheques for the Bowl Canada Cup and Club 55 Cup entry fees are on the way to you as of today. If we had not yet deposited your entry cheque, it will be returned to you instead. Watch for it in the mail and consider how you may wish to recognize the qualified bowlers who no longer have an event to attend. Provinces are considering options as well, so you may want to check with them as to their thoughts or initiatives for these bowlers before finalizing any actions of your own.


BOWLING BOUNTY

You've got time on your hands, so why not put it into giving back to your community in a small way? You certainly want your locals (regulars and otherwise) to remember you when it's time, so do something now to remind them you are an important part of your neighbourhood. Consider;

  • Become a drop off point for donations to the local food bank. Can be as simple as designating 2 hours per week to accept donations. Perhaps leave the donations to sit for 2 - 3 days (to kill virus which may be on cans, etc.) then deliver them to, or have them picked up by, the Food Bank. Not all are in a position to donate, but some are, and many need the donations. For a little effort your business can come off looking great and caring. Check with your local foodbank on procedures, etc. to ensure safety for all.

  • If you prefer to not take chances on transmission of the virus, etc., maybe use your social media channels to encourage your community to donate online. Foodbanks most likely prefer cash donations, especially under today's conditions. Either way, your encouragement to assist those in need will look good on your business.

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