Hi All,

I thought I might give an update on what is happening regarding the Club and bowling in general around the area. The Exec met in mid-March and made the decision to close the Clubhouses and put on additional safety measures in accordance with the Provincial Health Officer guidelines. Currently we are carrying on those measures until Dr. Henry issues further direction. To refresh your memory here is the current direction for club members:

• The clubhouses remain closed. This includes any organized functions or gatherings. If someone requires access, please contact one of the Executive committee for approval. Members are not to use the short mats.

• Individuals may assist in chores (grass cutting, gardening, etc) outside provided they clean any tools, doors knob, etc that they touch in the performance of those duties. They also must bring their own tool cleaning supplies. There must be limit of 2 people at one time and they must observe the social distancing protocols.

• The Greens are closed until further notice. There is to be no practice bowling at all!

We have had discussions with John Correia and he has agreed to reduce his time and efforts that reflects that there will be no traffic on the greens. We don’t want any previous efforts we have made to improving our greens to be put at risk so we will maintain the momentum of continuing to improve the greens as much as we can. This reduces our greens maintenance fees about 30%.

We have had a good response to our membership renewal request and here is the results as at April 13,2020. This response puts us at about 58% of our budgeted membership fee income but only 26% of our total income budget so we still some challenges ahead. The good news is that this income will allow us to fund the greens maintenance! Our utilities and other expenses will have to come from our savings until we open up our club again or we receive funds from an external source.

Realistically we do not expect to get on the greens until at least the end of June (and that may be optimistic) but we must wait until we get clearance to play and take appropriate measures whilst we are playing. The Executive is reviewing the situation every 2 weeks and our next discussion is this coming Tuesday. Any opportunities to open bowling up will be looked at seriously. I will send another update after that meeting.

In addition, there been some discussions between Bowls Canada and the Provincial bowling organizations and the clubs about getting financial support from the Federal government and those discussion are continuing. I am hopeful that we can receive some support.

That’s it for now. I will send another email in a few days with any update from the Exec meeting on Tuesday April 14.

Ron 

Ron Harmer 

President Oak Bay Lawn Bowling Club

250-370-1582