Reopening Protocol

NELSON PICKLEBALL CLUB REOPENING PROTOCOL 2.5
August 12, 2020 Version

During these times of restricted social activity, the Pickleball Community needs to respond with a modified operating model. Socializing at the courts does not match the requirements and orders put in place by our Provincial Health Authority. The following are guidelines for returning to the LVR courts. (We have no jurisdiction over Lakeside Courts. Contact the City of Nelson, if you wish.)

Social Distancing

• Stay home if you are sick or have come in contact with someone who is sick (14 days)
• Maintain social distancing.
• Pre-arrange play via signup.com ONLY.  NO DROP-IN games.
• Play with a limited number of players. 
• Play only with your up-to-6-person pod. Do NOT intermingle with players from the other courts.

To limit Social Interactions, as recommended by the Provincial Health Officer for BC, Dr. Bonnie Henry and BC Pickleball, always play with the same partner or players in your Pickleball Social Bubble or pod. 

[UPDATE]: On June 24th, BC entered Phase 3 of the COVID-19 Restart plan. 

If you have a pod of six, let’s name the pod Group 1, which comprises say Tom and Tess, Brian and Barbara, and Joe and Jane. Then we have another pod of six, let’s name the pod Group 2, which comprises Mick and Molly, Vic and Vera, and Alex and Anne. 

• Any two from Group 1, can play against any two from Group 2, however the two from Group 1 must stay on one side of the net and never partner with a person from Group 2. They could however change partners with any of the other players from Group 1. In other words, Tom in Group 1 could never partner with Mick in Group 2, but Tom and Brian from Group 1 could play against Mick and Vic from Group 2. 
• Group 1 will only use one ball; Group 2 players must not touch that ball, other than to paddle or kick it back to the players from Group 1. Group 2 will have their own ball to which the same rules apply. We suggest you always use different coloured balls to mitigate confusion. Perhaps Group 1 players use a GREEN ball and Group 2 players use a YELLOW ball. 

• Please do NOT arrive early or linger after your playing time.

Cleanliness Concerns

• Avoid touching your face until you have washed your hands (soap and water or sanitizer).
• Use the Hand Disinfectant provided at the gate after entering and leaving. Players should also carry their own hand sanitizer for use after each game.
• No sharing of equipment, water bottles etc.
• No paddle taps at the end of the game.

Ball Handling

• Provide your own balls or contact Doug or Gloria to receive a club ball.
• Sanitize the balls before bringing them to the court (20 second wash with soap and water). Everyone is responsible for their own balls.
• Print your name on your ball(s) with a permanent marker.
• Extra balls will also be available from the club at a very reasonable price. 
• When your ball travels to another court, ask a player to kick or paddle it back to you.

Booking of Times

• Booking by court and time-slot will be done, as in winter, via signup.com.
• Sign up can be done for groups of 2 to 6. To facilitate contact tracing, if needed, all names must be included.
• All players must pay the Tennis Club Annual Membership fee or a $5.00 Tennis Club Drop-In fee. 
• All time-slots will be for one hour and twenty-five minutes. There will be five minutes between bookings so that the current players can gather their belongings and leave before the new group enters the courts.
• Please do NOT enter the courts until everyone from the time-slot before your booked time has left.
• If nobody is waiting at the end of your slot, please lock the gate.

PLEASE RESPECT OTHERS AND THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO STAY HEALTHY
WHILE HAVING FUN AT PICKLEBALL.