Collingwood Curling Club is eager to rock and roll back on the ice this winter after missing last season due to COVID-19.

The club, which was established in 1881 and has over 500 active members, has ensured new COVID regulations have been implemented and has started a Learn to Curl programme, which will help beginners get out onto the ice.

Collingwood Curling Club President George Rutherford expressed his delight in getting back in action: “It’s wonderful to be back on the ice. Curling is such a social game. It is good to reconnect with fellow curlers and play together. Many of our members look forward to the curling season so the shutdown last year had an impact on them.” 

Mr. Rutherford continued: “Closing was tough on the members, no doubt. Many look forward to curling each year and the shutdown further enhanced their sense of isolation last winter. From the club’s perspective, it was financially a tough year, but fortunately, the Board’s prudence helped to ensure that the club did not have a loss.

“Our membership has grown back to pre-COVID norms. We lose about 10% of members a year for a variety of reasons. The new members filled in that gap. Some of them came to us through our Learn to Curl programme while others have moved into our area. This bodes well for the future of the club.”

The CCC President added that new regulations would help the club keep up-to-date on public health guidelines.

“Our first obligation is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our members. The Board frequently met over the summer months to address the protocols and procedures that would need to be devised and implemented to meet public health guidelines. We also met with Town and public health officials in this process. 

The Board determined that all members had to be fully vaccinated in accordance with public health guidelines before the government did so. As the new government mandates have come into effect, we have implemented them. Fortunately, our members are well aware of the news and have been very cooperative as we have implemented our new procedures.”    

For more information on Collingwood Curling Club, visit their website: collingwoodcurlingclub.ca