Follow-up to general Email: Club Opening will go ahead this Saturday, May 23.
As per our email from last week, we are able to open up the sailing club, but with some COVID-19 restrictions. We all want to get out and sail. As a board, we are taking a prudent approach to creating a safe environment, respecting all the government guidelines, and to be a good example. We all have our part to play.
The following are some key points to remember:
- The club is partially open. You may place your boat in the boat park and launch the boat for sailing. Otherwise, everything should be considered closed and out of bounds. The club house remains closed with the exception of using the washrooms with proper physical distancing. No use of the club barbeques, kitchen, fridges etc. Club boats will not be available until proper COVID-19 protocols are put in place, hopefully within a couple of weeks.
For now, there are no social activities planned, no organized on-water racing, and no food or drink will be served. Of course you can bring something for yourself and you can use the picnic tables as a family unit or with proper distancing, but you should wipe them clean before and after use.
- There will be formal COVID-19 related protocols in place for the club opening. They are posted separately on the website, and will be at the club this Saturday morning. We want to take a common sense approach to the protocols and have a safe environment for all. They will include:
- a. Do not come to the club if you have any symptoms related to COVID-19 or have been recently (within 2 weeks) exposed to those with COVID-19.
- b. All Provincial and Regional physical distancing rules and limits of group sizes apply at the club, including frequent hand washing and avoiding touching your face. We should not be congregating, especially in confined areas.
- c. If it is going to be difficult to distance, take extra precautions like using PPE. Please bring your own.
- d. Only one person or family unit in each change room at a time.
- e. Only two people working in the club house kitchen area during club opening only for cleaning/tidying at a time, with distancing.
- f. Maintain physical distancing in the upstairs room, or use PPE.
- g. The club will be providing sanitizer stations around the grounds, and soap and water to wash your hands. Please use them as needed.
- h. Bring and use your own tools if possible. When using club tools, make sure to wash your hands before and after using the tools. If feasible, sanitize the tools before and after use.
This will all seem awkward at first, and these are new habits to learn. We should not be shy about respectfully speaking up and reminding each other about safe practices as needed.
- Club opening: This will include the dock (already done), taking the boats and masts out of the clubhouse and into the boat park, removing the window coverings, putting up the signs, and the general cleanup of the clubhouse and the grounds. We have lots of room and we should be able to do all of this safely if we are careful and take precautions.
- Sailing camp and adult lessons: Day camps are likely to be permitted this summer, with COVID-19 restrictions. We are looking at how we can manage our youth summer camp, and we at this time we expect to go ahead. Please register if you want to assure a spot this summer even though things may shift around a bit.
- A determination regarding the Warm Water Regatta will be made at the end of the month.
- Really important: Early bird fees are due by club opening this Saturday May 23rd, so best to register and pay now (the early bird discount gets applied at check-out) via our Membership page. Payment by eTransfer is preferred, saves us a few dollars.
- There will be a page on the website with COVID-19 related information and we will do our best to keep everything up to date.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me. Watch this News page for updates.
On behalf of the board, we are looking forward to a very enjoyable season.
Jan d’Ailly
Commodore
Conestoga Sailing Club.
