CURLSASK COVID-19 UPDATE – March 18, 2020

18.03.2020 20:43

CurlSask

This is an update regarding the status of CURLSASK’s operations and services for members as of March 18, 2020. Some of you will have already received some of this information. However, we feel it’s important to make sure everyone has the latest news.

Effective, March 13th, 2020; the CURLSASK office has closed to public. All team members will continue to work regular hours from home until further notice. They can be contacted as per normal by telephone and email. (https://curlsask.ca/contact-us/)

After a meeting with the Board and staff Monday March 16, 2020; we have decided to suspend all events and programs for the 2019/2020 season. We also support Curling Canada’s messaging.

Member Clubs

Our main concern is the safety and well-being of the entire curling community. As a result, we are having to make difficult decisions that are significantly affecting what we do and how we offer our services and programs. In partnership with Curling Canada is strongly urging all curling centres in Canada, both affiliated and non-affiliated, to immediately temporarily suspend all domestic sanctioned curling activities, until further notice, in light of the public health risks associated with COVID-19.

While we recognize that this is a decision that can only be made by a club and/or league, we all share a responsibility to minimize risks related to COVID-19. One of the most important measures we can take is to limit public gatherings and therefore we urge all of you to educate yourselves on this topic and listen to what subject-matter experts are saying.

We empathize especially with the athletes and coaches who are so deeply affected by this situation. We are committed to continue working alongside our partners to ensure that we are making informed decisions, in alignment with our values, while continuing to work towards the best possible outcome for all those involved in our sport and the broader community. We will continue to closely monitor all COVID-19 developments in consultation with relevant public health authorities, other governing bodies, and our club partners to provide updates as they become available.

Competitions

As announced last week, CURLSASK has postponed all remaining courses and sanctioned competitions for the 2019-2020 season in response to COVID-19. This is an evolving situation, and we know it may cause some uncertainty for you.

All teams will be contacted directly by email and asked to complete a survey. The CURLSASK refund policy has been revised to fit the needs of each team’s unique circumstance. Teams who are eligible for a refund can choose to donate the eligible portion of refunds to the Aly Jenkins & Joan Stricker Memorial Bursary Funds or have the refund processed to the original method of payment. The Aly Jenkins & Joan Stricker Memorial Bursary Funds are recently established post secondary bursaries for student athletes residing and competing in Saskatchewan.

Here is a summary of affected events and their status:

Master’s Men’s Provincials – Event cancelled. Team contacts were emailed on Tuesday March 17, 2020 & refunds are being issued accordingly. Teams may choose for refund reimbursed to the original method of payment or donation to the post secondary fund.
Master’s Women’s Provincials- Event cancelled. Team contacts were emailed on Tuesday March 17, 2020 & refunds are being issued accordingly. Teams may choose for refund reimbursed to the original method of payment or donation to the post secondary fund.
Mixed Club Championships – Postponed to fall. Teams are being given the option to remain in the event or withdraw with refund. Teams are being consulted on the rescheduling. It is recommended to wait for the new dates before applying for a refund as registrations will not reopen.
Club Championship Provincials; Postponed to fall. Teams are being given the option to remain in the event or withdraw with refund. Teams are being consulted on the rescheduling. It is recommended to wait for the new dates before applying for a refund as registrations will not reopen.
U18 Q2 & U18 Provincials – Cancelled. Team contacts were emailed on Tuesday March 17, 2020 & refunds are being issued accordingly. Teams may choose for refund reimbursed to the original method of payment or donation to the post secondary fund.
Tony Cote Winter Games – Cancelled. Please contact the Tony Cote Winter Games Staff for further details on the cancellation and refund policies.
Staff will be reaching out to host clubs in the coming weeks to discuss rescheduling options & finalizing the 2020/2021 schedule.

Events/Programs

Viterra Youth Clinics & Viterra FunCurl Programs – recommend to be suspended by member clubs.
Viterra Youth Clinic Kindersley – cancelled.
Competition Coach Workshop – cancelled – refunds will be issued to all registered participants.
Viterra Staff Clinic – cancelled.
CURLSASK U15/U18 Youth Bonspiels – recommend to be suspended by member clubs.

Again, we empathize especially with the athletes, coaches, volunteers and member clubs who are so deeply affected by this situation.

If you have any questions, please send us an email as our staff will be working from home during the pandemic.

Further updates will be posted as they are available.