Special Items

Return to Play (RTP) Update

At the Ontario Lawn Bowls Association (OLBA) Board of Directors’ meeting of June 7th, the OLBA approved a motion to rescind the March 14, 2020, motion which suspended OLBA club on-site activities. As a result, and effective as of June 9, 2020 at 12:01 am, the OLBA will allow clubs to implement Phase 1 of the Bowls Canada Return to Play protocol, as a start to re-open lawn bowling clubs across the province, subject to municipal and provincial approval. Following is the OLBA recommended course of action for implementing the Bowls Canada Phase 1 protocol.

Documents Attached This link will take you to these 5 documents.

Document A: OLBA Adult Waiver
Document B: Minor Assumption of Risk
Document C: COVID-19 Declaration
Bowls Canada Checklist
Bowls Canada Phase 1 Protocol

Recommended Link: Closure of Places of Non-Essential Businesses (Subsection 7.0.2 [4]):
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/200082

Role of the OLBA in the RTP Protocol

The OLBA will assist clubs in any way possible regarding the implementation of Phase 1 of the Bowls Canada Return to Play protocol. Phase 1 is defined as Training and Practice Only (no Games allowed at this juncture). The OLBA with its member clubs remains to advise and assist in any way possible!
The OLBA encourages clubs that, if they do have uncertainty regarding any RTP issue, they can reach out to the OLBA Board of Directors or the OLBA Executive Director and receive a response within 24 hours.
The OLBA will keep a club’s signed Declaration of Compliance (Document C) on file.
The OLBA will ensure that the organization’s website (olba.ca) is updated with the latest pertinent information with respect to Return to Play.
The OLBA reiterates to all clubs that, due to the sensitivity of liability, they need to strictly adhere to the protocols and checklists on file with Bowls Canada (documents are attached).
The OLBA will communicate a club’s desire to open or remain closed with the respective District Chairs.
Clubs which do not provide the above-mentioned documentation to reopen or which do not electronically convey their decision to remain closed, will be contacted by the OLBA so that clarification is received.

Role of OLBA Clubs in the RTP Protocol

OLBA clubs acknowledge that they have read, understood and will abide by, the attached documents.
OLBA clubs agree to share this document and their attachments with their entire club board.
OLBA clubs will not open without the written approval of their local municipality and/or said municipality’s Department of Health or local health unit and will keep any and all documentation from said parties on file.
Prior to opening, OLBA clubs will forward the club’s detailed Return to Play plan of action, including copies of all pertinent municipal and health department documents to the OLBA (oswald@olba.ca).
OLBA clubs agree to implement Phase 1 of the Bowls Canada Return to Play protocol - that is, Training and Practice Only - and not implement subsequent phases until written authorization from the OLBA is received.
Clubs which do not wish to open will still notify the OLBA (oswald@olba.ca) of their decision.
OLBA clubs agree to stringently follow the instructions provided by the Bowls Canada protocol including, but not limited to, the acquisition of any and all waivers and declarations (Documents A-C) from their members.
OLBA clubs understand that the Adult Waiver (Document A) and the Minor Assumption of Risk (Document B) only need to be received from their members once per season while the Covid-19 Declaration (Document C) must be received from members every time they wish to be at the club.
OLBA clubs reserve the right to use and receive either electronic or paper COVID-19 Declarations (Document C) from their members and agree to receive said document prior to each time members wish to access the greens.
All clubs will not permit guests at their clubs in accordance with Order Under Subsection 7.0.2 (4) Closure of Places of Non-Essential Businesses [[O Reg. 82/20) (suggested website link).

Additional Resources
A rebroadcast of the May 31st OLBA Town Hall meeting regarding Return to Play scenarios is available online at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIX9gHCA69I&feature=youtu.be