As we prepare for the 2020-21 season, we want to reach out to members to help us understand how you are feeling about curling in the current climate.

The Tam Board is considering several measures to help reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure to club members and we are very interested in receiving your feedback. Answering the questions below will allow us to better prepare and consider options for the upcoming season. With the start of the curling season less than two months away (fingers crossed), and lots of decisions yet to be made, we would very much appreciate your prompt response (before Aug. 21).

There are only 9 questions and the survey should take only a few minutes to complete.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TamHeather

At this year’s Annual General Meeting in September, there will be two vacancies on the Board of Directors. So that every member of the club has an opportunity for input or candidacy, here is a summary of the election process, according to the bylaws of our constitution.

There are 2 ways to become a candidate:

1. The Nominating Committee, comprised of the immediate Past President (or designate of the Board), and 1 representative from each of curling and tennis, will nominate individuals, who must agree to stand for election (a Director whose term has expired may stand again).

2. Any four (4) members may nominate one or more individuals for election as Directors. These must be in writing, signed by the nominees, and submitted to the Secretary of the Board, c/o the office at Tam Heather Curling & Tennis Club.

ALL NOMINATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY

BY AUGUST 28th, AT 12 NOON.

The Secretary will post the on-time nominations, both by the Nominating Committee and by the members, on the website at least 15 days prior to the AGM. If each Board vacancy has at least one candidate, then there will be no nominations from the floor at the AGM.

For the term of September 2020 to September 2023, nominations will be accepted for the following positions on the Board of Directors:

House Director

Tennis Liaison

Current Directors holding the following positions have agreed to stand for re-election:

House Director

Tennis Liaison

Annual General Meeting: Monday, September 28, 2020 @ 7:00 P.M.

Effective August 1, you can log in and REGISTER for the upcoming 2020-2021 winter tennis season.

Note: In the event of another shutdown due to COVID-19 before the winter season commences, you will be given the option of cancelling your registration and receiving a full refund. Pro-rated refunds will also be given if a shutdown occurs during the season or delays the start of the season.

As the curling world continues to manoeuvre the COVID-19 pandemic, much effort is being given to evaluate the potential for our upcoming curling season.  We continue to actively participate on inter-club conference calls and discussions; we are in regular contact with our provincial and federal partners; we have subscribed to all support opportunities possible. Your league committees continue to connect on a regular basis and the Board continues to meet monthly as planned, only virtually.

With re-opening protocols changing almost daily, the Board believes that it is much too early yet to make any sort of judgement call regarding the fall.  We understand that many of you may be anxious for an answer and we assure you that you will have one as soon as decisions are made.

A few GTA clubs have sent out surveys in an attempt to gauge the mindset of their members. A couple shared their results at the inter-club meetings and, although the comments make for interesting reading, the results just served to show how undecided people are currently. Everybodys situation is different. After reading the survey results, we decided against sending one out to Tam members as we dont see how it provides any help in deciding what we should do. Weve already done our registration, albeit without asking for payment, so we know members really, really want to be able to curl in the fall. With the way things are constantly changing though, nobody knows with any certainty what curling will look like in October, and what it looks like in late August will make all the difference in whether the Club decides on a Thanksgiving start. Only then will we be able to tell people what protocols will be imposed (masks, bar service, lockers, number of sheets, start times for games, etc.). Until then, we just dont know and a survey wont help with that.

So lets wait for the picture to hopefully become clearer. In the meantime, I encourage you to check out the CurlON website for return-to-play resources and info: https://ontcurl.com/2020/06/27/return-to-play-townhouse-meetings/

I hope everyone continues to stay safe and sound this summer and we will chat again soon.

One of the many impacts of the club's closure has been that members have not had an opportunity to take home any items that they didn’t want to leave in their lockers over the summer. Although the Club is still closed, we are inviting members to book a 15-minute timeslot to come to the club and access their locker.

• Call the office at 416-284-9251 (ext 1) or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request an appointment. Appointments are available on weekdays only between 10:00am and 4:00pm. You will receive a response from the office confirming your appointment.
• Members will be given a 15-minute window to arrive at the club, access their locker, and depart (sorry, that doesn’t sound very welcoming). Please be on time for your appointment as the east door to the club will only be unlocked for your 15 minute appointment.
• Only one member will be allowed in each locker room at a time.
• You must enter and exit the club via the same east entrance.
• There will be no access to the main floor.
• Hand sanitizer will be available at the east entrance.
• In compliance with City of Toronto requirements for public spaces, you must wear a mask while in the building.

Cheers,Doug Miller
General Manager
Tam Heather Curling & Tennis Club

Please write or email your MPP requesting that the Cabinet pass an order in council similar to the one passed by BC that protects the members of volunteer boards of sports organizations from being sued in claims related to COVID-19.  A template for a letter is below, and includes a link to a website listing the current members of provincial parliament. This is a critical issue that, if not resolved, will delay or even prevent our reopening. It will only take a few minutes to let your MPP know that you want them to follow the lead of their counterparts in BC in removing this roadblock to our reopening.  

Date:

Dear [your MPP]

This is a request that the Province of Ontario follow BC's example and immediately pass an order protecting sports organizations and their volunteers from any litigation resulting from COVID-19.

I live in your riding and I am a member of Tam Heather Curling and Tennis Club.

Our club is currently closed due in part to the uncertainty surrounding the club’s insurance coverage. If and/or when the club reopens, it intends to follow provincial and municipal public health guidelines for re- opening. The club and its volunteer board would benefit greatly from an act that would protect them from any potential liability related to COVID-19, providing they continue to follow public health guidelines during the pandemic.

For more information on what the Government of BC has enacted to protect amateur sport volunteers in its province, click the link below to read a recent article from a newspaper, The Chronicle Herald in British Columbia.

https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/sports/hockey/province-clears-insurance-roadblock-to-return-of-amateur-sport-in-bc-460713/

I look forward to your prompt response.

Thank you:    [Name]

[Address]

************************************************************************

For a list of current MPPs and their contact information, visit:

https://www.ola.org/en/members/current

Cheers,Doug Miller
General Manager

If you’ve already registered, thank you and no need to read any further.

If you haven't yet registered, this is your last chance to register before May 31 in order to guarantee your spot for next season because, after the May 31 deadline, teams will be given spots on a first-come basis (i.e. new teams who signed up in May will be given priority over returning teams who sign up after the May 31 deadline).

So, to anyone who hasn’t registered yet, what reason could you possibly have for not registering? You don’t even need to include payment (unless you want to), so long as payment is made before September 30.

In order to register, you must first log into your own account; that one you set up last year when you registered. If you’ve forgotten your username or password, click the login button and use the "Forgot Login" link.

If you are interrupted during the registration process for any reason, simply restart the process. The system will remember any leagues you have already selected and allow you to continue with your registration. And if, despite your best efforts, the on-line registration process and you just don’t seem to be compatible, give me a call at 416-284-9251 (ext 6) or email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and I’ll do my best to get you sorted out.

Cheers everyone,

Doug

WOW!!! 360 registrations already; 280 returning members and 80 new applicants. If you haven't already, be sure that you register before May 31 in order to guarantee your spot for next season because, after the May 31 deadline, teams will be given spots on a first-come basis (i.e. new teams who signed up in May will be given priority over returning teams who sign up after the May 31 deadline).

So, to anyone who hasn’t registered yet, what reason could you possibly have for not registering? You don’t even need to include payment (unless you want to), so long as payment is made before September 30.

In order to register, you must first log into your own account; that one you set up last year when you registered. If you’ve forgotten your username or password, click the login button and use the "Forgot Login" link. 

If you are interrupted during the registration process for any reason, simply restart the process. The system will remember any leagues you have already selected and allow you to continue with your registration. And if, despite your best efforts, the on-line registration process and you just don’t seem to be compatible, give the office a call at 416-284-9251 and we’ll do our best to get you sorted out.

Cheers everyone,

Doug 

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are all keeping well during this [email protected]#$%^& unusual time. If you’ve been following the countdown clock on the homepage of our website, you’ll know that it’s only a few days before membership registration opens. Translated, this means on-line registration will begin on May 1 for both new and returning members/teams. If you are looking for something new and different to do while sitting at home self-distancing, starting May 1, just visit the Tam website at www.tamheather.ca and select “I was a Member Last Season”.

Returning teams must register before May 31 in order to guarantee their spot for next season. This is most important for those leagues with limited room for growth. After the May 31 deadline, teams will be given spots on a first-come basis (i.e. new teams who signed up May 1 will be given priority over a returning team who sign up after the May 31 deadline).

One more important point, registration does not have to include payment, so long as payment is made in full before September 30. Although it would certainly help the Club’s cash flow during the next few months as we face the distinct possibility that our usual sources of summer revenue may all dry up. Asking everyone to pay in May, in addition to being a significant change from prior years, just may not be financially feasible for some in light of the challenges some may be facing as a result of the COVID-19 situation. If you are able to include payment with your registration, it would be much appreciated, but either way, whether you are including payment now or putting it off until later, please be sure to register starting May 1.

In order to register, you must first log into your own account; that one you set up last year when you registered. If you’ve forgotten your username or password, click the login button and use the "Forgot Login" link. 

If you are interrupted during the registration process for any reason, simply restart the process. The system will remember any leagues you have already selected and allow you to continue with your registration. And if, despite your best efforts, the on-line registration process and you just don’t seem to be compatible, you can give the office a call at 416-284-9251 and we’ll do our best to get you sorted out.

Cheers everone,

Doug Miller
General Manager
Tam Heather Curling & Tennis Club
Phone: 416-284-9251 Ext 5
Fax: 416 284 0690

The March newsletter has been posted on the Tam Heather web site.  Please click HERE to read.

Newsletters can be found anytime on our website from the Member Menu under Club Info > Newsletters

The Tam Heather Board of Directors regrets having to take the extraordinary action of closing the club for play.

Curling

Curling play is suspended effective March 13 due to the health concerns of COVID-19 and the nature of the transmission of the virus. The only exception will be the Ivan MacDonald bonspiel on Saturday March 14.

All League Closing banquets have also been postponed until further notice. You will receive further updates in this regard.

Tennis

Effective 11:00pm tonight, Saturday Mar 14, tennis play was suspended until April 5th, at which time the impact of the COVID-19 VIRUS was to be reviewed to determine whether or not tennis should be resumed. Due to the continued necessity for social distancing, tennis play has now been suspended until further notice.

Tam Heather Board of Directors

With the recent news and events worldwide in association with the CORONA VIRUS (COVID-19), the Tam Heather Curling & Tennis Club encourages all Members to be proactive with the following prevention practices:

• Abstain from customary handshakes pre/post game. We suggest elbow bumping or a nod or use other forms of non-contact greetings.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water.
• Bring your own personal hand sanitizer to use. Lysol/Clorox wipes are also a good idea to wipe down rock handles. Unfortunately with all the hoarding/stockpiling that is happening, the Club’s suppliers are currently out of stock of hand sanitizer and wipes. The Club only has hand sanitizer available in the handicap and downstairs washrooms and at both ends of the tennis dome.
• Cover your cough. When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with flexed elbow or use a tissue. Then dispose of tissue immediately.
• Avoid touching your face.

Stay home if you are feeling sick or have any symptoms associated with the virus.

Saturday, April 4th / 2020

ALL LEAGUES LOOKING FOR PLAYERS!!!

Please refer to the OTA Player Rating Scale posted in the Vestibule

All tennis members interested in trying out for a team or league at Tam Heather Curling &Tennis Club must attend tryouts. If you are unavailable to attend tryouts on the date posted, you must contact the team captain or league coordinator at least 3 weeks before the tryout date to arrange another tryout date.

(ALL TRYOUTS WILL BE ASSESSED BY CLUB COACHES)

Are you looking for a tennis game? We can help!

Tam Heather has introduced an electronic bulletin board where you can post your availability to play and reach out to others who would also like to play.

To view the game board, log into the Tam website and navigate to Tennis Info > Game Board.

You can also edit your availability from this page as well as send emails.

In air supported structures such as ours, the front door doesn't always close for a variety of reasons. When it doesn't close, an alarm sounds. We are looking at various mechanical changes/fixes that we can make to ensure the door closes properly. In the meantime though, to prevent these alarms, please be sure to always close the door behind you upon entering or exiting the dome. Your help is appreciated.