Dear All Valued K-W Badminton Club Members,

The Board of the K-W Badminton Club hopes that everyone has been doing well and staying safe during these unprecedented times.

The Government of Ontario released their COVID-19 Roadmap to Reopening to help keep the Province safe and open. The Roadmap to Reopen is a three-step plan to safely and cautiously reopen the province and gradually lift public health measures.

Step Three of the Roadmap focuses on the resumption of additional indoor services with larger numbers of people and restrictions in place. This includes, but is not limited to:

Facility Capacity: Indoor sports and recreational fitness facilities to open subject to a maximum 50 percent capacity of the indoor space. Total number of attendees must be limited to 50 percent of the capacity of the facility determined by the maximum occupant load as permitted by the fire code (O. Reg. 213/07).
There must be a sign displaying capacity limit posted in a conspicuous location.

Screening: The facility must actively screen individuals who enter the facility on the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officer of Health. The facility must also post signs at all entrances in a conspicuous location informing individuals on how to self-screen before entering the facility.

Contact Information: The facility must record the name and contact information of everyone who enters the facility and maintain these records for at least one month. Records must only be disclosed to specified individuals as outlined in O. Reg. 364/20.

Permitted Activities: Singles, doubles, mixed doubles badminton play; plus coaching clinics.

Physical Distancing: All individuals must remain a physical distance of at least two meters; exceptions for a person’s caregiver or from the person’s household. When on court, there are no restrictions for contact, however, all individuals should make every effort to prevent contact.

Mask Requirement: Face masks are required at all times while inside the facility (subject to particular exceptions as set our in the regulations, including temporary permitted removal to consume food or drink). Individuals may remove their face mask when engaging in athletic or fitness activity. Coaches must continue to wear a face mask while on court.

Spectators: Capacity for indoor spectators is limited to 50 per cent of the usual indoor seating capacity if there is a designated area for indoor spectators; otherwise, limited to the number that can maintain two metre physical distancing from every other person in the indoor area of the facility (and in any event may not exceed 50 per cent capacity or 1,000 people, whichever is less)

Equipment: Any equipment that is rented or loaned out must be cleaned and disinfected as frequently as necessary to maintain a sanitary condition.

The K-W Badminton Club will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and adhere to the required protocols set out by our Canadian and Ontario Governments and Health Canada for re-opening.  As such, the Board has made the decision to re-open according to government guidelines and recommendations from Badminton Canada and Badminton Ontario, as safety for everyone is our highest priority.

Additional Mandatory Guidelines for return to play at the K-W Badminton Club in addition to the guidelines documented above, for extra safety:

  • Because the total number of attendees must be limited to 50 percent of the capacity of the facility determined by the maximum occupant load as permitted by the fire code, our club will be limited to 50 persons. If this limit is reached at any given time, the front door will be locked.
  • All commonly used surfaces will be disinfected regularly including major touch points, door handles, railings, reception desk, net posts, tables, chairs, court entrances, phones, computers, point-of-sale terminals etc., using appropriate commercial/industrial grade cleaning products. Cash will not be used for any purchases.  Use our touch-less terminal for debit/credit card purchases.  (Preferably debit please.)
  • Facilities and common areas will be rearranged to help facilitate proper physical distancing, which will be enforced and monitored closely.
  • All showers in the change room areas will remain closed. Washrooms will remain open, but limited to the number that can maintain two metre physical distancing from every other person in that area of the facility.
  • Hand sanitizers with an alcohol content of 60% or greater will be placed in high traffic areas within the club. We recommend all members obtain their own supply and bring this with them to the club.
  • Signage will be posted at the front entrance to instruct members to wash hands after coming into the club and prior to going on-court, as well as general information/instructions to members/staff related to COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms. A sink for this purpose has been installed in the lounge beside the fountain.
  • The water fountain will be turned off and players should bring their own water bottles (no sharing.)
  • Masks are encouraged (but not mandatory) during play, but we will make wearing it mandatory while in the lounge and while proceeding to and from the courts.
  • Bring hand sanitizer to disinfect your hands before and after play and avoid touching your face.
  • Observe physical distancing of two metres between yourself and other players and staff when interacting at the Front Desk or on the court.
  • Keep up sportsmanship etiquette, but rather than shaking hands with an opponent or giving high fives, touch racquets or bow.
  • No hangouts before/after will be permitted inside or outside the club, in order to practice physical distancing and keep the flow of traffic moving.

Employees/Coaches:

  • Employees will go through a health screening upon entering the club each day; those who have flu-like symptoms will be asked to remain at home.
  • Employees have been asked to wear Face Masks while inside the club and continue physical distancing practices until otherwise directed by Health Canada.
  • Any employee who has flu-like symptoms or comes into close contact with someone who has flu-like symptoms is required to inform the Board and will be asked to stay at home for a minimum of 14 days.

Sharing Court Space: There are no court fees, nor reservations for courts.  The traditional sign-up board will be reinstituted and used to facilitate 25 minute court rotations.  When the club is busy, the courts are restricted to Doubles play only, except during designated Singles time.  Games follow the 21-point rally point system.

Two courts are reserved for Singles Play on Sundays 7:00 – 10:00 pm. At other times, games of Singles can be played when there are no other members waiting for court space.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel to reach out.