UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF THE PORT ELGIN CHRYSLER TANKARD ’22 ONTARIO TANKARD PRESENTED BY BRUCE POWER
It need not be restated; these are difficult times to navigate. Present regulations are such that the Tankard could not be held with spectators. Current regulations may expire or may be extended as of January 26th, depending upon how health statistics unfold.
One possibility is that current regulations will be replaced by those that had been in effect prior to December 19th, those allowing spectators at 50% capacity in the Plex. There are concerns surrounding that scenario, notably public health, since our event occurs right on the heels of a reopening. Such an event would also be somewhat compromised, with some planned activities and functions cancelled due to ongoing regulations.
A second possibility is that the event be held on the same dates without spectators at The Plex. The venue would become a bubble for players and officials only, regulated by strict protocols.
In either case all planned sponsor logos would be placed in the ice and the event would be streamed. Past streaming audiences have been 50,000, however given the hunger to watch curling, it is anticipated the broadcast audience will be much larger. Volunteers would still be required in both scenarios, however less of course in the scenario without spectators.
The host committee recognises full well that whatever course is taken currently, it is not the event we had imagined for our community, nor representative of the overwhelming support that has been shown by the community. As such an overture has been made to CurlON to host the event again in 2023.
We’ll keep you posted.
The Steering Committee, Port Elgin Chrysler ’22 Ontario Tankard presented by Bruce Power
Doug Flowers, Kate Hamer, Brian Crabbe, Earl Anderson