CLUB UPDATE – May 8, 2020

Thank you for your patience as we continue to navigate these challenging times. The Board and Management have been diligently engaged in a formal decision making process and have made considerations based on ongoing discussions with the Provincial Health Authorities, other private clubs and a number of other industries in developing club reopening strategies.  These strategies will align with return to play recommendations provided by governing Sports bodies in BC and Canada. We endeavor to be united with other comparable facilities and employ a commonality by following the same guidelines, protocols and procedures that protect the integrity of the participant and the sport.  While we strive to be as organized as possible so we can return to full operations, we understand there will be inconsistencies that we will continue to manage.

After careful consideration, we are excited to be able to announce that the Board has motioned to gradually reopen the Club, starting with tennis, racquetball and squash on Wednesday, May 13. We will be opening with new safety protocols & policies in place that will be very strictly monitored and enforced.  Before you decide to book to play, we ask that you read over the complete document detailing the preventative and protective measures that have been taken in order to prepare our facility for your return.

Our Phase One hours of operation will have the club open at 8:45am and close at 9:00pm, meaning all members must have vacated the building by 9:00pm.  The Café will offer take-out food between the hours of 12:00pm – 7:00pm, seven days a week. The rest of the Club remains closed at this stage.

The safety of our Members, employees, and community is paramount, and we are being very prudent with our steps to ensure we work under the direction we’ve been given so we can help to reduce, support the control of, and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Health authorities have stated that in order to operate in the current context, we must not operate our restaurant for more than take out service, and must not host mass gatherings involving more than 50 people (but could have more than 50 people on site if social distancing is being observed).

We will ensure we provide extra sanitizing stations and ensure members and staff are able to follow social distancing recommendations to stay 2 meters apart while on site. Staff or members who are sick, will be sent home.  We will follow routine cleaning practices with enhanced cleaning of high-touch surfaces and shared items. There may be additional measures specific to the various sporting environment that we will implement to further reduce risk COVID-19 transmission.

Please note that the COVID-19 situation is ever-changing, and Board and Management may adjust operations as required.  We hope you can appreciate the value of this process and we thank you for your patience as we take the time to do the right thing.

 

INFORMATION FOR ALL MEMBERS

• If you are sick or have any Covid-19 symptoms whatsoever, you are not allowed to come to the club
• Each member visiting the Club for activities must fill out two (2) forms, ONE TIME ONLY: the online waiver and self declaration form. Click HERE for the WAIVER, click HERE for the SELF DECLARATION FORM. For Members under 18, a parent or guardian must fill out the forms on their behalf.
• These must be filled out before visiting the Club. Club access will not be permitted if you have not filled out the forms.
• Only members who have pre-booked will be allowed access to the club and must check-in at Member Services.  Children of players will not be allowed access if they are not booked to participate in activities.
• Members must follow the recommended physical distancing requirements of staying two meters (six feet) apart at all times.
• Members may enter the club 15 mins prior to their booking, and must vacate the club immediately after their activity booking ending.  If you arrive earlier, please wait in your car in the parking lot.
• Regular parking is available. Valid parking stickers are required.
• Avoid parking next to another car in the club’s lot whenever possible.
• Members must utilize the hand sanitizer dispenser before entering the Clubhouse.  Hand sanitizing stations will be provided throughout various areas for members to sanitize their hands before and after play.
• Washroom access will be limited.  No locker room, steam room, sauna or shower access will be permitted. Please arrive for your activity pre-dressed for play.
• If you need items from your locker please contact Member Services in advance to set up an appointment to clear their locker
• Members will be required to bring their own water/water bottles, towels and necessary equipment.
• Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a caregiver or adult who actively supervises at all time.  Immediate family only.  One parent supervisor only needed per pre-booked group.
• Restrictions on Club access
  1. No guests or non-members allowed access until further notice
  2. No reciprocal, non-residents allowed access until further notice
  3. No outside functions booked until further notice
  4. Booking access will only be permitted to members that are in Good Standing.  Members accounts must be current within 60 days, or have a pre-arranged payment plan set up with the Accounts Manager, Kristeen DeGobbi, (778-588-9491)

INFORMATION FOR TENNIS PLAYERS

FOOD TAKE-OUT SERVICES

• Food take-out will begin on Wednesday May 13.
• This service is available from 12pm – 7pm.
• The to-go menu is available HERE
• Orders can be placed by phoning Member Services at 604-985-4135.
• Payments by credit card or debit will be accepted only.
• Members must advise as to when they would like to pick up their order. Food orders will be available to pick up on the table near the Member Services area.
• If the food is not yet ready, members are permitted to wait in the lobby area, while observing physical distancing.
• Members must exit through the main entrance door, ensuring physical distancing from anyone entering the Club.

FAQs

What cleaning and sanitation measures has the Club put in place?
The Club has implemented a number of increased cleaning protocols. Plexi-glass guards will be installed in key communication and transactional areas, an increased number of hand sanitizer dispensers have been placed throughout the Clubhouse, and staff attendants will be available to support member traffic, ensure appropriate physical distancing is observed, and to wipe down high contact points before and after play. Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment will be available to all employees, and staff will receive training on COVID-19 safety and sanitation protocols.

Will there be a further reduction in dues?
The Board of Directors approved a 25% reduction in dues, effective April 1^st, one of the first clubs in the Lower Mainland to lower their dues.  On April 27, NSWC applied for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program.  The application is currently under review and we expect to hear from the CRA by mid May. Please understand that this government support is only for wage subsidies, and it can only be used to pay staff wages, not to offset member dues. For the benefit of the staff and the club, we are trying to maximize this government support, thus ensuring we can get as much funding to cover wages as possible; this has allowed us to not only keep staff employed, but also get extra projects done around the club during the closure.

All other expenses have been reduced to a minimum, but our member dues do not cover all of these fixed costs such as necessary wages, taxes, utilities, insurance, etc.  Some of these costs can be deferred but they will need to be paid at some point. Much of the club’s revenues come from programming, and as these are not happening, and we don’t know when they will be back to normal, we still rely on dues revenues.  Additionally, we do not know the true revenue impact created by the gradual reopening concept, but it will be managed closely.

What are the future gradual reopening plans?
We are currently working on detailed plans for the near future that will involve other areas of our club, provided members and staff continue to remain vigilant and adhere to the COVID-19 mitigation strategies.  Return to play regulations and clear guidelines will need to be factored in to allow us to provide a safe and positive environment for all participants before we can reopen.  These plans will be based on the Provincial government and SportBC recommendations to include the ice rinks, pool, fitness, programs, food & beverage services, outdoor seating, etc

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we transition to gradual reopening. We will update members weekly, whether or not there are changes.

Stay healthy… and we are excited to welcome you back to YOUR club!

Joanna Hayes | NSWC General Manager
James Cronk | NSWC Board President