Racine Curling Club

Curling Cancelled for the Rest of the Year

Fellow Racine Curlers,

I regret to inform you that we will not be opening for any curling in the rest of the 2020-21 season—including bonspiels. The decision to not curl was a close, difficult choice for the board. We weighed the desires of those who signed up to curl, the apparent lack of widespread enthusiasm for participating at this time, the further degradation of the overall COVID-19 situation, the long-term effect on membership, the viability of the leagues that would be left, etc. in reaching that decision. In the end, the safety of our curling family tipped the scales.

Although we will not be curling, many expenses continue. Anyone who pays their annual dues of $129 will be considered a paid member and will be registered with the USCA and any other applicable and customary curling organizations (organization registration is done by January 31). Part of any dues paid will help with our fixed expenses. Several people have already availed themselves of this opportunity and we thank them. Additionally, as the club is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Any amount paid in addition to or instead of membership dues comprises a tax deductible charitable contribution. You can pay online or by check mailed to the club or left in the indoor mailbox by the restrooms if you choose to do so. Any questions may be addressed to treasurer@racinecurlingclub.com.

We thank you for your continued support and hope that, with the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines and other advances in dealing with the disease, we will see each and every one of you on the ice next fall. Thank you for your patience while we wrestled with this unprecedented situation.

Personally, I would like to thank the Board members (Gail Armstrong, Keith Erdman, Brenda Tait, David Rank, Al Fillman, and Kristin Feick), Past-President Phil Janusiak, and Member-at-Large Danny Harmann for all their efforts in trying to make curling happen, researching the situation and making difficult decisions. It turns out that the situation leading to us not curling, in addition to being somewhat depressing, is more work for all of them than curling would have been.

Yours in holiday and curling spirit,

Michael Dry

President

Winter/Spring registration Info:

Unpublished

Fellow RCC Curlers,

As you all know, COVID-19 caused us to cancel the Fall half. We just did not have enough registrations to make opening financially viable. The RCC Board understands that many of you have concerns about a safe environment for return to play and this may have caused you to not register.

To add additional safety, it has been decided to modify our league structure and fees. There will be three evening leagues: Monday/Tuesday; Wednesday/Thursday; and Friday/Saturday. There will also be two weekend daytime leagues: Saturday Doubles and Sunday. The Friday/Saturday league will have teams set by the draw committee consistent with our mixed leagues in the past. All other leagues will be “pick your own team” or sign up and let the draw committee put you on a team. You may sign up for a maximum of one evening league and one daytime league. This is to reduce the possibility of one infected individual cross-contaminating the whole club. Except for doubles, the schedule will be set so that only one game is occurring at a time. This will limit the number of people on the ice to 8 total.

Should a curler is tested positive or suspected of being infected with COVID-19, we will follow the CDC guidelines then in place to reduce the chance of further spread,

The fees for the second half are as follows: One daytime league--$175; One evening league--$200; or one daytime league and one evening league--$250. These amounts include the annual dues, so, if you already paid dues, that amount will be deducted from the amount owed. Junior curlers will pay $39. Sub-Only $150. 1^st and 2^nd year curlers will be discounted 50% and 25% of the league fee amount, respectively. The membership dues are $129 of the amounts above.

At our December meeting, the Board will decide, based on health safety and financial considerations if there can be curling at our club in the second half.

See the attached amended Covid Playing Procedures, the same as previously communicated, that will be implemented if we are able to curl. Please be patient as some details may still need to be worked out. This is new territory for everyone!

Registration is now open. There is a minor glitch in the website registration that causes it to charge $246 instead of $250. Thank you for your understanding. We encourage you to register and pay as early as possible and in any case before December 5. If you would like to pay by credit card go to Home > Our Club > Payment Page. In the unfortunate event that we do not curl, fees will be refunded upon request.

Yours in Curling,

The RCC Board

COVID-19 Playing Procedures

Air sanitizers will be added to ice house and club house heating systems. Heating systems will be rewired to assure that the fans and sanitizers are operating whenever the ice house is in use and every half hour when the ice house is not in use, whether or not the systems are calling for heat.
Only dues paying RCC Curlers who are playing and ice crew members may be in the building. Prospective members for personal learn-to-curls will be allowed with pre-approval by a board member.
Any person entering the building shall check their temperature as closely in time as practical before arriving. Persons with a temperature at or above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, or showing symptoms of COVID-19 or other communicable disease may not enter the building.
You must wear a mask at all times while in the building. We suggest using the disposable type of mask and have an extra on hand if it becomes too wet. The cloth masks tend to hold more moisture and become wet while playing.
Curlers will need to sign a COVID waiver in addition to the regular waiver acknowledging the risk.
Arrive immediately before game start. It is preferred that you already be in wearing curling gear and just need to change shoes.
A log will be kept of who curled each game for contact tracing purposes. Anyone who suspects or confirms that they have COVID-19 should notify the draw committee.
No handshakes or elbow bumps. Merely state, “Good curling!”
Hammer/color choice determined by rock-paper-scissors.
Hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes will be provided.
Curlers are to sanitize their rock handles before and after the game.
Do not touch the handles of rocks other than the ones you are to deliver.
If you use a club stabilizer, club broom or any other shared equipment, sanitize it before and after use.
Only one person per sheet will post scores. That individual will also sanitize score placards after the game.
Maintain 6 foot distancing.
Depart as soon as possible after end of game.
No beverages or food will be available from the club. If you need something, bring your own. Beverages should be in sealed container. No food or beverages may be kept at the club unless kept in the curler’s personal locker. Any food or beverages found in the common areas will be discarded. (Including refrigerators)
NO BROOMSTACKING IN THE CLUB. If you want to socialize after the game, pick another location like a bar, restaurant, the parking lot or a club member’s home. Our clubhouse does not have enough room for safe distancing while socializing.
Use common sense. If you see something that you feel is unsafe, remove yourself from any immediate risk and bring it to the attention of a board member.