The Quesnel Curling Centre is keeping their ice frozen.
Despite adult sports still banned under public health orders, the club will keep the ice frozen and ready for play. Sports were cancelled by B.C. chief public health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, on Dec. 3.
Those restrictions were extended on Jan. 7 until at least early February.
READ MORE: New sport rules give out red cards to Quesnel leagues and clubs
The manager of the Quesnel Curling Club, Dave Plant, said keeping the ice surface in was a calculated risk. Other clubs in the province and across Canada have decided to close their doors for the rest of the season.
“If [Henry] delays the opening on Feb. 5, we are definitely going to shut down,” Plant said. “We won’t have a chance to salvage the season at that point.”
The executive board of the Quesnel Curling Centre made the decision during a meeting on Jan. 13.
“There was a lot of discussion. It went back and forth,” Plant said. “We weighed the pros and cons… The numbers are trending in the right way. The vaccine is out there. We’re hoping the numbers continue to improve.”
Plant said the club is still being used by some people. The centre is open to members to book ice to practise, with only two people allowed on the sheet.
“Only our active members, people that have signed a waiver and so on and so forth,” Plant said. “It’s not like anyone can come in and do it. All [COVID-19] precautions must be taken.”
Quesnel’s junior curling program is also continuing.
“The club is still being used by our members to practise and get some physical exercise during this trying time,” he said. “We’re really hoping to salvage some part of this season.”
If the centre does open to the public in February, Plant said the season would be extended two weeks later than the usual stop date. He’s hoping for a seven week season. During normal years, the post-holiday season would be 10 weeks.
READ MORE: Quesnel man not letting virus stop curling
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: cassidy.dankochik@quesnelobserver.com
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cassidy.dankochik@quesnelobserver.com
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