Here is an update from Bowls BC on reopening our Club for Bowling. There are many question that we have and I will provide an update after the next Exec meeting on Tuesday.

Ron Harmer

District Directors:

Could you please forward the below email to all your district clubs.  Thank you.

TO:  All Bowls BC Member Clubs:

Bowls BC and the other Provincial Sport Organizations (PSO) had a Webinar session with viaSport on Wednesday.  The topic of the Webinar was “Return to Sport”.  ViaSport was been given the authority by the provincial government to oversee the return of amateur sports to an ‘active’ status.  Becoming ‘active’ to play bowls will happen in three phases, namely:

Phase 1: Athlete Development and training/practice (only for club members, no visitors)

Phase 2: Inter-club competitions

Phase 3: Provincial and National championships.

Each phase, for each sport, must be approved by viaSport, the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) and  the Ministry of Health (MOH), BEFORE any bowling activities can take place.  In some municipalities, depending on their own criteria for park use, etc., the procedures will have to be approved by the municipality.  It is vitally important that all clubs are aware of the following:

1.      NO bowling activities are to take place until Bowls BC has received approval from each of the jurisdictions listed above AND the club has been approved by Bowls BC,

2.      Each Phase will have to be approved prior to any activity in that Phase.  For example, before any bowler can use the greens for Phase 1 (practice), viaSport, the PHO and the MOH must all approve the submitted guidelines/procedures from Bowls BC for Phase 1,

3.      Bowls BC will have to submit and receive approval for any activities in Phase 2 and Phase 3, at a later date when viaSport declares that each PSO can apply for permission to proceed with those Phases.

4.      Each club will have to prepare their own procedures based on the approved guidelines/procedures submitted by Bowls BC and no club can initiate any bowling activities until approved by Bowls BC,

5.      Any club found to be operating without permission may be shut-down by the Ministry of Health.

The guidelines/procedures for each Phase will be comprehensive and must be designed to prevent ANY contagion from person-to–person (social distancing) or from the touching of objects at the club.  The guidelines/procedures must include protection for bowlers, visitors, volunteers, observers, contractors and delivery persons, etc., etc., and will include contact with clubhouse surfaces such as door knobs, washroom facilities, kitchens, bowling equipment (bowls, jacks, delivery marts, score cards and score boards, benches, etc.),

Bowls BC will start preparing the guidelines/procedures in the next few days, however, we do not know how extensive the review process will be or how long the approval process will take.  It is safe to say however, that the process will, in all likelihood, not be quick.  Unfortunately, at this time, I cannot give you even a rough estimate when we might be able to put bowlers back on the greens.

Thank you and Keep Safe.

Harry Carruthers

President

Tel: 604-985-2241

Cell: 604-916-1101