Local Community Advertising
It looked like curling might have avoided yesterday's ban on indoor adult sports, because it didn't appear on the initial lists of sports affected by a new provincial order.
But it's now been clarified, and curling competition has been brought to a halt.
"We're going to follow along with the guidelines," said a slightly defeated Jock Tyre at the Kelowna Curling Club.
Tyre was responding to news that the sport would be halted along with other indoor team sports. Adult curling had resumed at the Kelowna club on Thursday until the clarification was made.
"Our junior and youth program is still going to go on until we're told that we can come back full force," he added. "We're also in the understanding that you can practice. So people can come out and individually practice, so we'll be allowing people to book some ice time."
Still, it's a disappointment, and Tyre suggested curling is different than other sports in ways that should be taken into consideration.
It is one of the sports, I think, that will be the very last to be cancelled and the first to be re-instated simply because we can social distance on the ice.
We can wear a mask when we are participating and we don't have any common implements, like a basketball or a volleyball that we're sharing with each other and there's no close contact with your opposition."
Despite the setback, Tyre said the doors will stay open. "We're going to keep the restaurant open because we still have a fully operational restaurant and lounge."
Between practice and keeping the food and beverage service going, Tyre hopes the club can stay active until the restrictions are lifted.
"People will be able to come out on their regular night and maybe throw a couple of practice rocks by themselves and then come on up for a beverage or a bite to eat."
Local Community Advertising