Saskatoon curling club that had March COVID-19 case responds to return to play guidelines

Curling Canada released a 29-page document, outlining guidelines for return to play Tuesday.

The changes include sweeping rules, on-ice player positioning with respect to physically distancing and a change to pre-game handshakes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sutherland Curling Club general manager, Dwayne Yachiw, saw the guidelines from a different perspective than many, as his club did have a positive case of the coronavirus on March 12.

Yachiw says the guidelines are just that— guidelines, at this point.

“I think each province is going to be totally different depending on COVID-19,” he told 650 CKOM Wednesday.

“I think everybody is pretty much on the same page with regards to all this information…we’re still in that hurry up and wait, we don’t know all the information from the Saskatchewan government yet.”

That positive case ended up being contained, according to Yachiw. It remained the only case he is aware of from the curling club.

Yachiw says there are issues with the guidelines, including when it comes to the spacial distance that needs to be held through all on the ice, including curlers on the same team.

“If you take the size of our curling sheet, we’re looking at over 250 sq. ft. per person,” he said. “A lot of (curlers), especially if they’re coming to an event like a bonspiel, (they are) going to be travelling together anyhow. So, they’re going to be well within the six feet.”

He says they will be looking at cleaning a lot more between draws and at all times, and it will cost the facility more to clean amid the pandemic.

Another problem Yachiw saw was capacity. Although only 30 people are allowed within the building currently, Yachiw predicted that capacity would be raised by the time curling begins by the province.

If 100 per cent capacity is allowed, the Sutherland Curling Club will have problems in the lounge, according to its general manager.

“One of our issues is going to be the bar. (If) we were open at full capacity at 48 curlers with staff, I don’t think we can socially distance that many people up in our lounge,” Yachiw says.

CurlSask is scheduled to hold a virtual town hall on July 22, on the return-to-play guidelines, COVID-19, updates, along with a Q & A session.

Until then, Yachiw says his rink will continue to prepare for the upcoming curling season.

“We’re just waiting,” he said. “It’s going to be an interesting start to the season, we know that for sure.”