Dear Member:
We have been monitoring the developments of the Covid-19 pandemic as have all Canadians. While no one has a crystal ball, it is becoming quite clear that life is not business as usual, and will not be for some time. Estimates from varied sources now predict it will be June-July-August when we may be able to come up for air.
Some communities in Canada have been hit harder than others (to this point) and are feeling required to take more drastic actions. The province of Ontario today announced a State of Emergency, as had the City of Calgary on Sunday, and the province of Quebec a few days prior. Ontario is prohibiting, effective immediately, all indoor recreation facilities from operating until March 31
st
, with a review for possible extension to come. Restaurants and Bars are also to be closed except for any take out or delivery options, as are any parades, church gatherings, schools and daycares, etc. And any organized event or gathering of 50+ people is to be cancelled. Other areas can reasonably expect to come under similar restrictions in the coming days/weeks. Additionally, it is possible Canada will, if the curve is not flattening as hoped, resort to forced quarantine similar to what’s happened in Italy. But we are not there yet.
Many bowling centres have proactively closed shop in the face of this crisis even before the prohibition was announced this morning. We encourage all members in regions with imposed restrictions on business operations to comply with announced regulations and measures. We must keep in mind that our centres are a hub of the community and must stand as a dedicated and caring member of that community…responsibly acting in its best interests. While resources may be thin in terms of policing any infractions, the Premier’s casual mention of penalties and insurance coverage issues (under a state of emergency) should give anyone pause for thought. Not to mention the negative image that would be fostered in the community should a business illegally remain open and put its customers’ health at risk.
If your community is in a better position than Ontario at this time, know that your circumstances will likely change. While it’s hard to be prepared for forced closure, plan towards its near inevitability as best you can while you can.
In the face of varied stages of the pandemic across the country, and understanding that only you can decide how your business is run (within the confines of government regulations, etc.) Bowl Canada is announcing the following measures which may seem extreme to some at this point but are required to put the nation’s bowling community in balance….
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CLUB 55 & SUNSHINE/SPECIAL O LEAGUES;
Bowl Canada recommends that where centres remain operational, these leagues be suspended at this time. These are the more vulnerable individuals in society and continued social interaction is a much more severe risk for them
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YBC LEAGUES
should likewise, out of an abundance of caution, be suspended for the time being
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BOWL CANADA CUP, BOWLING WORLD CUP & CLUB 55 CUP;
Bowl Canada is asking Provincial Associations to consider their schedule of Provincial Finals for these events. The Calendar provides a window up until May 15
th
to hold Provincial Finals. If your province has Provincial Finals scheduled for earlier in the timeframe (April 15
th
on) we recommend you make changes now to hold the provincials later in the period. If required, go up until one week past the window (to May 22
nd
) but do not plan past that at this point as timing to prepare for National Finals (assuming they run as scheduled) would be jeopardized.
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CLUB 55 CUP ZONES – Bowl Canada is suspending all Club 55 Cup Zone finals until further notice.
This vulnerable demographic cannot be made to attend under current conditions. As above, Provincials for this event should be scheduled for later in the period, and we ask that provinces also work on an amended schedule for Club 55 Cup Zones should we be in a position to lift the suspension and resume with qualifying in the coming weeks. With a later Provincial Final, and planning on Zones for one or two weeks prior to that later provincial date, we give ourselves the best chance of conducting all phases of the event. An alternate option which may be even better is to bypass zones and send house teams direct to Provincials (where possible).
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YBC NATIONALS;
We will be announcing today that the YBC Nationals will NOT proceed in the scheduled May 3-4-5 timeframe. Taking government restrictions into account, not least of which the City of Calgary’s declared State of Emergency, we cannot in good conscience proceed with the conducting of the event at this time. We have been working on rescheduling the event for summertime, assuming the pandemic has quieted by then and that all required facilities are available and can be renegotiated, etc. This is in the works but like most things today the outcome is currently uncertain.
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BOWL CANADA’s ANNUAL MEETING;
Halifax is scheduled to host our Annual Meeting of Members this June (2-5). At this time we are hopeful the event can proceed but will be monitoring all relevant factors and provide updates as information becomes available.
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CANADA CUP NATIONALS;
Scheduled for July, again we remain hopeful that this championship will proceed as scheduled, but will monitor and update as info becomes available.
How and when things return to normal is impossible to say at this time, but normal operating procedures should not be considered acceptable in the face of all recommendations today. Again, your region may be different from others in terms of exposure to Covid-19, but that security may change, especially if recommendations such as this are not heeded.
Provincial and Federal Governments are promising measures to assist businesses in the face of the financial ramifications of restrictions, etc. Bowl Canada is dedicated to assisting its members with getting any support they are eligible for. Additionally, as times progress and we learn more of just how exposed our industry will be, Bowl Canada is open to considering additional and internal measures to support your business to the best of our limited ability.
We will keep in touch and hope you and yours are keeping safe.
Bowl Canada
