Published: March 18, 2020
I am very pleased we were able to finish the Club Championship this weekend. That said the issues revolving around the virus are something we cannot control, Surrey and Delta announced today they are shutting down their community centres, Urban Rec has placed their season on hold for two weeks (basically ended their season), not to mention our ski mountains are closed. Teams are withdrawing from leagues for the last two weeks and rentals are cancelling. We could ignore these events and hope to finish the season or be realistic. We could hope to continue with the season and only respond when we are forced to close as directed by the City/VCH/etc or we can in a proactive manner not reactive.
We could debate that we continue to curl and cancel the final league meals, but that is a half measure. We have several curlers in high risk, over 70 years, and our members’ health is paramount.
Therefore, the Board of Directors, with my support, has decided to cease operations effective Monday March 16th, 2020.
Obviously, this decision was made quickly and there are still some issues that will have to be dealt with in the coming weeks, and certainly before our 2020 – 2021 season. These will be taken up by the Board of Directors in due course. At the moment we have decided to close the Marpole Curling Club, in the best interests of our members, staff and guests.
I know this may be unpopular but we are responsible to our members’ health and the financial implications of keeping the club open under, what the World Health Organization calls a pandemic.
This is not something I had ever anticipated having to do as President but the Board agrees that discontinuing operations is the right thing to do.
Thank you for your understanding on this issue, the decision was not made lightly.
Regards,
Gregg C. Bruce
President of the Marpole Curling Club