September Newsletter

We hope you have been enjoying the beautiful weather playing lots of tennis. Our goal on this newsletter is to keep members updated on various matters affecting everyone. 

Survey Feedback: A big thank you to those who have completed the club’s recently emailed survey. If you have not yet done so, please respond to the below survey “link”:
https://us10.list-manage.com/survey?u=61255a10a0d95a3687b0f4957&id=292582fe25&e=1b02726774
The survey is open until October 4th 2020. Your opinion is very important to us and it will help inform how the club moves forward. 

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions:

Question 1:
What is the role of the club attendant?
Answer:
The attendant’s job covers various bases such as keeping the bathrooms clean and wiping down touch points to keep members safe due to the pandemic. Most important is their role to “monitor” and confirm the court bookings when members arrive to play. Members must book courts themselves and make changes, if changes are required. In special cases, the attendant can make last minute changes.

Question 2:
Can members bring chairs onto the courts?
Answer: 
Members may bring chairs onto the sidelines of the court that they are playing on. No furniture in the clubhouse is to be taken onto the courts as frequent disinfection would be required. The court attendants only work during peak hours so it is impossible to ensure that club chairs are safe for members.

Question 3:
Does physical distancing continue to be a provincial mandate?
Answer:
The pandemic continues. There is no vaccine at this time. Physical distancing is very important if a second wave is to be prevented. Everyone is encouraged to:

  1. Wash hands: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  2. Hand sanitizer: Club members and staff are responsible for bringing their own alcohol-based hand sanitizer and sterilize their hands prior to entering the club, before and after playing and after using common items.
  3. Hands off: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  4. Practice physical distancing of 6 feet (2 meters) away from others at all times, unless you are from the same household.
  5. Wear a mask when indoors in public places and when it is impossible to physically distance 6 feet (2 meters) from others outside your bubble.

Question 4:
Are pets allowed at the White Oaks Park Tennis Club?
Answer:
Pets are not allowed at the club.  For consideration to other members, members are asked not to bring pets to the adjacent park area when they are playing tennis.  Pets are distracting to other members, children in the playground and those who are concerned about the lack of hygiene on the picnic table and benches when pets are left unattended. Please be kind and respectful to your fellow members and leave pets at home.

Question 5:
When does the club anticipate removing the nets and storing equipment for the winter?
Answer:
We will be following the weather reports to determine when to remove equipment.  Hopefully the weather will continue to allow members to play tennis as long as possible into the Fall. We estimate windscreens will be removed by the second half of October.

Question 6:
Does the club need volunteers to take down the wind screens and nets?
Answer:
Yes. Volunteers are needed.  Please let us know that you can help by emailing info@whiteoaksparktennis.com. You will be contacted when a date is set.

Question 7:
Are guest allowed to play at the club?
Answer:
No, guests are not allowed to play at the club. 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.  The “No Guest” policy continues through to the end of the season.

Question 8:
When will the club close?
Answer:
The club will continue to be open until mid-November weather permitting. However, clubhouse access will end by September 30th.

Question 9:
To date, there has been no update on round robins. What happened?
Answer:
The club was planning a phased in approach to reintroducing round robins when we were advised that a tennis club in the Montreal area was closed until further notice as members had contracted covid-19.  As a result, our club chose to take a conservative approach to protect the safety of all members and did not introduce any round robins.  Hopefully, this will change next year.

Question 10:
When will the AGM take place this year? Can you provide some details?
Answer:
The AGM will take place on November 16th at 7:30 pm and will likely be online by video conference. This is an important meeting that sets the tone for the club. Everyone on the Board is a volunteer and you are requested to participate to ensure that the club continues to be organized and managed in a friendly and efficient way.
The details are still being arranged due to the recent restrictions imposed by the Province. We are planning to send the following by email to all members:

  1. the President’s report
  2. the Treasurer’s report
  3. Nomination form for positions on the Executive Board
  4. Brief outline of duties for positions on the Executive Board

As soon as a method to vote for the new Board is determined, you will be advised.

Other News
Big thanks to our high school volunteer Jack-Fergusson’s. Jack spent many hours helping out around the club by completing some much-needed club maintenance. From weeding the courts to breaking down branches, removing debris and cleaning around the park.

Big thanks to our court attendants and our membership director who spent many hours sorting out membership issues and giving out fobs. And also to Carol Ann Burgmann our VP for her big help answering member’s questions and various communications as needed.

 
Playing tennis can improve your mood and mental well-being.
https://metro.co.uk/2018/06/28/playing-tennis-can-improve-mood-mental-well-say-recreational-players-7667271/


Whiteoaks Park Tennis Club