The pandemic has posed many challenges to the club executive, especially in light of a growing membership. Tennis is one of the few sports where social distancing can be easily and successfully achieved. The pandemic has made it a growing sport.
The following are frequently asked questions and answers by members:
Question 1: At what time is the online booking system open for same day and next day court reservations?
Answer: 8:00 a.m.
Question 2: When is prime time?
Answer: Morning – 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Evening – 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Question 3: What is a member expected to do when they arrive at the club?
Answer: The club expects each member to arrive 5 minutes prior to their booking to confirm their reservation with the court attendant, when an attendant is on duty. Give the time of play and the court. This is critical in the event of contact tracing.
Question 4: Is there a limit on the number of online court bookings per member?
Answer Yes. During prime time hours between 6 pm and 11 pm, members can book a maximum of 4 bookings per week.
However, between 7 am and 6 pm, normal booking rules apply i.e. one hour booking per day, with no limits per week, plus 30 additional minutes, if there are empty courts after play is finished.
Question 5: What day is the start of the week for booking purposes?
Answer: Monday.
Question 6: Are members allowed to book a court for doubles for 90 minutes (1.5 hours)?
Answer: Prime time doubles bookings remain the same at one hour.
Non-prime time doubles bookings have changed. Members can now book up to 90 minutes (1.5 hours) during non peak hours between 11:00 am and 4:30 pm daily.
Question 7: How does a member cancel a court booking?
Answer: Where a court was booked and you are unable to use it, please login into your member account and cancel the reservation online. This is the quickest and easiest way to cancel your court. However, if you are unable to do so, send an email to attendant@whiteoaksparktennis.com or phone the club at 905 855-0900. Please be aware that it may be 24 hours before your message is received and acted upon.
Question 8: What happens if a member is a “no show” for a court booking?
Answer: With the convenience of online court bookings, there is an added responsibility for members to use the court they have reserved. Members must cancel a reservation if they are unable to use the booking so the courts can be free for booking by other members. Cancellations can be made online up until one (1) hour before the reserved court time (i.e. reservations cannot be cancelled online within one hour of reserved court time). For cancellations within the hour, there are only 2 ways to ensure the booking is cancelled. Either call the club at 905 855-0900 or email the club attendant with details at attendant@whiteoaksparktennis.com.
Question 9: Are members allowed to book 2 consecutive courts for 2 hours of singles which results in doubles during prime time?
Answer: During prime time, doubles play is only one hour. In other words, it would be a breach of the rules if two members of a doubles group book one court and the other two members book the same or another court for the following hour.
Question 10: Are guests allowed to play at the club?
Answer: No. Due to the pandemic, the club executive purchased an online booking system so members could safely book courts as opposed to the old board and chalk method that required many touch points. The online system also has the additional benefit of names, should contact tracing be required.
Question 11: Are juniors allowed to play at the club during prime time hours?
Answer: Yes. After 6:30 p.m., juniors may play only if an adult member is playing on the court with them.
Question 12: How does a member get answers about membership?
Answer: If you have a question related to your membership, please send an email to membership@whiteoaksparktennis.com. You will receive a reply within 24 hours.
Question 13: Since the club’s benches are not available this season due to covid19, can members bring their own chairs to the courts?
Answer: Yes, members are allowed to bring their own chairs to the courts during booked playing time.
Question 14: Will there be any league play this season?
Answer: The club has been informed that the Lakeshore League and the 2020 Intercounty Tennis Association (ICTA) Ladies and 50+ Leagues have been cancelled.
Question 15: Why is there yellow tape on the deck around the club attendant desk?
Answer: The purpose of the yellow tape is to remind members to respect social distancing rules when interacting with the attendants. Regretably, it has been observed that some members are not respecting the social distancing rules when off the court. For everyone’s safety, please leave the club’s premises once your play is finished.
In addition, if the washroom is in use, please wait outside the clubhouse until the washroom is free for use.
Question 16: Do the attendants clean the main gate doorknob after members enter and leave the club?
Answer: Yes, we are very concerned about the spread of the virus in high touch areas such as the main gate doorknob. Besides the frequent cleaning of the bathrooms, our attendants spray and wipe the doorknob every 15 minutes to provide additional safety and peace of mind to our members.
Question 17: Will our club host any tournaments, round robins or house league play?
Answer: With most of the province entering into Phase 3 Reopening, more restrictions are being lifted. As soon as Peel Region is in Phase 3, we will update you about the impact of Phase 3 on the club.
Condolences for Helen Xiang
Former club member, Helen Xiang, tragically passed away on June 23rd after being fatally struck by a car when she was on her bike riding to work. Helen was 52 years old, lived in Oakville and will be missed by all that knew her, especially on the tennis court. May she rest in peace.