Return to the Green Story: Lenzie BC
Most clubs might dread the prospect of a premise’s inspection from their Local Authority. But respect for the Covid Guidance can prove beneficial for clubs reopening this 2021 season...
Recently, one Dumbartonshire club was not only given a clean bill of health for their level of compliance, but advice received on seating layout also allowed them to safely increase the capacity in their clubhouse. Providing more seating flexibility for members and greater reassurance that they can comfortably make use of the indoor facilities during the 2021 season.
Lenzie BC’s Covid Officer, Ronnie Houston, was delighted with the outcome of the Local Authority inspection, stating: “I would encourage all clubs to engage with their local Compliance Officers. Whilst we still have frustrations around the requirements for table service and restrictions on individual members using the kitchen facilities, the inspection was most helpful with much focus on not having seats too distant as this would only encourage raised voices.”
“Getting the go ahead to adjust our seating arrangements is great news, as it was clear right from Opening Day just how much members had missed the company of others. We can now seat a greater number safely indoors.”
Thanks to the determination of volunteers at the club, Lenzie Bowling Club's season is now in full swing following a successful Opening Day and it’s a Return to the Green worth celebrating! 2020 was far from a normal season with none of the club’s main competitions held and social interaction limited due to the main clubhouse remaining closed. Although the club felt it had done well to get to a position of there being regular play amongst many of its 180+ playing membership.
Much was learned during the 2020 season in terms of requirements for signage, hygiene requirements, distancing, one-way systems and track and trace, and the members became well versed in rink booking arrangements. With determination to open hospitality for the 2021 season, much effort was made to establish a dedicated outdoor seated hospitality area and working out how best to provide table service and contactless payment. As a result, members’ confidence in the safety of the facilities has been established and the club has already started all 2021 internal competitions, attendances at their "Points" and "Umbrella" sweep games are increasing and new membership enquiries are encouraging.
The hard-working volunteers at Lenzie have successfully implemented Covid guidance and reassured their members about coming back to the club. Ronnie gratefully acknowledges that “huge thanks must be given to all members for their patience and compliance, but especially to those volunteers who man the bar and serve tables. More especially to the 14 members who regularly inspect and carry out top-up cleaning of the toilets to keep things safe, but for those members we still would not be open.”
To feature in our Return to the Green stories series, contact us via info@bowlsscotland.com. Tell us how you have reassured members, reconnected the community or respected Covid guidance.