Dear fellow curler,
As a member of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club you will have received the “Return to Curling” guidelines and I thought this was maybe an appropriate time to update you on the thoughts of the Board.
In accordance with government guidelines, curling cannot start at the earliest until we are in phase 3 of the relaxation of lockdown restrictions. We do not know when that might be but we hope and expect that it will allow us to get back on the ice as normal at the end of September.
A great deal of work is underway in the ice rink and I think you will see quite a difference when you come back. There is a new, higher barrier around the ice pad, all the advertising boards have been removed along with lots of redundant fittings and only our current advertisers will be reinstated. However, the greatest change you will see will be in the complete redecoration of the ice hall made possible by the generous contributions made by YOU in response to the Club President, Robert Boyd’s appeal for support. I thank you for that. In addition to all those works, we have installed a new dehumidifier with increased capacity and have also refurbished the changing rooms for the ice hockey players, one of whom’s supporters is the benefactor whose anonymous donation has made possible the replacement of the barrier.
We would hope that the lockdown situation will improve further over the summer and we are looking at all the options for making the rink a safe environment for everyone. After consultation with the Club and the ice staff updated guidelines will be issued nearer to opening day to keep everyone advised.
This might include changes to the game, particularly in relation to sweeping and it might mean a one way system in and out of the building. It is likely that you might have to come dressed to curl with just your shoes to change but we will follow the guidelines as updated by the government and the RCCC.
It is really impossible to say for certain at the moment what the resumption of curling will look like but we are looking ahead positively and hope to see everyone back safe and well in September.
Yours in Curling
Liz Goldie
Chairman