T h a n k y o u !
The Board wants to thank all members for their incredible support through a season like no other. Again and again, your engagement, generosity, and patience have shown why our club has remained the hub for curling in the nation’s capital for 170 years.
Board of Directors Update
The Board wishes to thank Pam Ponic and Wesley Blight for their valuable contribution to our club as Directors, and to Joanne McGraw for her valuable contribution as Secretary, over the past few years. Due to other commitments, they have recently stepped back, and we are pleased to announce the interim appointment of two new directors, effective until the next Annual General Meeting. A big welcome to John Reade and Chad Featherstone. As the Board continues to operate through unprecedented territory, the current roles are as follows:
President: Mike Burke
Vice President: Nicole Merriman
Treasurer: Chad Featherstone
Match & Member Services: Alex Birtwistle
Facilities: Ian Lovsin
Ice: Kirk Anderson
Director at Large: Ian Rathwell
Director at Large: John Reade
We are also delighted to announce the appointment of John Whitaker as Secretary.
Financial Update
The Ottawa Curling Club will incur a significant financial loss this season compared to small profits earned in a typical season. Member support, careful cost management and government assistance have all been critical in mitigating the loss, but the reality is that this season, costs were higher than revenues. Thankfully, years of strong member support, attentive financial management and successive Boards have allowed our club to make needed investments while maintaining reserves that simply aren’t an option for most clubs. Those reserves, cash flow management, and substantial government assistance (we participated in every available government COVID financial program) gives the Board confidence that the long-term financial viability of the Club remains intact despite this season’s loss. Looking ahead, financial projections show a range of possibilities for the coming year - from additional losses to a small recovery. As evidenced by the ongoing third wave, a lot of uncertainty remains. Continued efforts are required to ensure we secure the future, and the Board and Club Manager remain focused on maintaining a stable financial footing.
Secure the Future - Donate Today
Thanks to our membership in CurlON, we now have the opportunity to solicit donations through the National Sport Trust Fund – Ontario. This program allows the issuance of charitable tax receipts for donations received. Thank you to all those who have already donated – either directly or through the option of a charitable tax receipt for 30% of your membership fee - the generosity of our members is truly incredible! Should you be in the position to make a donation, and desire a 2021 tax receipt for doing so, now is the time. Spread the word - anyone with an interest in keeping our Club strong can donate!
Details of the Ottawa Curling Club’s campaign are here:
CRStF - SPORT4ONTARIO
A direct link to the donation form is here (be sure to choose to direct your donation to the Ottawa Curling Club!):
NSTF-Ontario Donor Form
Registration 2021-22
Member registration plans are underway. Touch base with your teammates now to discuss next season! We expect to open registration in early June. While there remains a lot of uncertainty around what next season will look like, it is important for us to gauge what membership and our curling schedule may look like in order to plan for the season - we hope that you are all coming back but we need to plan for other scenarios. For that reason we would like to run registration in June but we are considering deferring payment until closer to the start of the season when we will all know a little bit more.
The Last Rock
As the weather warms, and the last few weeks of curling from the Calgary bubble keep us entertained, we wish you a safe spring and summer season.
The OCC Board
2021-03-23
As detailed in our Operations update on February 16th, the Board has been analyzing options to account for the reality that our curling season was cut short.
Background
As discussed at the Annual General Meeting, the Ottawa Curling Club will incur a significant financial loss this season compared to small profits earned in a typical season. The OCC fixed costs, with or without curling operations, are substantial. In pre-pandemic times, multiple revenue streams cover the costs associated with regular operations, and needed capital investments are planned, calculated and saved for. The onset of the pandemic severely limited revenue options for our club. Member support, careful cost management and government assistance have all been critical in mitigating the loss, but the reality is that this season, costs are higher than revenues. Thankfully, years of strong member support, attentive financial management and successive Boards have allowed our club to make needed investments while maintaining reserves that simply aren’t an option for most clubs. Those reserves, cash flow management, and substantial government assistance (we participated in every available government COVID financial program) gives the Board confidence that the long term financial viability of the Club remains intact.
You will recall that in September, we gave everyone the option to opt out of the season prior to September 30, 2020 in order to receive a full refund. We were clear that refunds would not be offered after that. Our decision to open the Club was dependent on those remaining membership funds. Looking back, we believe that we made the right decision based on the information available at the time and the wishes of our members. Similarly, we feel the message from our members in the February survey not to re-open when Ottawa entered Orange was prescient, as the region has now snapped back to Red, case counts are climbing, and area clubs have had confirmed COVID-19 cases. However, the Board is keenly aware that members who paid this season did not get to enjoy as much curling as anyone would like.
Member Credit/Tax Receipt
We are pleased to offer 2020-21 paid members two options to reflect the shortened season.
1. For those who register for the 2021-22 season, a 2021-22 season Bar Credit (Bar Bucks) equivalent to 30% of the membership fee paid*.
- OPT-IN ONLY- ACTION REQUIRED: If this is the option you prefer, you must notify Dalal by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by no later than Tuesday, April 6th. The deadline is required to ensure we have sufficient time to accurately adjust our financial close-out prior to our fiscal year-end (May 31).
* note: curling fees paid, excluding the Curling Canada fee and the Ontario Curling Association fee, which were remitted to the respective associations on behalf of members.
2. By default if Option 1 above is not chosen, paid 2020-21 memberships will be issued a 2021 charitable tax receipt equivalent to 30% of the membership fee* paid.
- NO ACTION REQUIRED: Charitable tax receipts will automatically be issued unless you opt in to the Bar Credit (Option 1).
- Charitable Tax Receipts are available thanks to our membership in CurlON, which provides access to the National Sport Trust Fund – Ontario (details on the program, and the chance to make an additional donation are below).
COVID-19 has not affected everyone the same way. Should you have any questions or concerns about the above, please don’t hesitate to contact Dalal at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Looking ahead - Your support appreciated
Financial projections show a range of possibilities for the coming year - from additional losses to a small recovery. While the Board firmly believes that our Club’s long term financial viability remains intact, there remains a lot of uncertainty. As such, our club should take every opportunity to secure our financial position. Thanks to our membership in CurlON, we now have the opportunity to solicit donations through the National Sport Trust Fund – Ontario. This program allows the issuance of charitable tax receipts for donations received. Should you be in the position to make a donation, and desire a 2021 tax receipt for doing so, now is the time.
Details of the Ottawa Curling Club’s campaign are here:
CRStF - SPORT4ONTARIO
A direct link to the donation form is here (be sure to choose to direct your donation to the Ottawa Curling Club!):
NSTF-Ontario Donor Form (logiforms.com)
More information on the National Sport Trust Fund is here:
Charitable Tax Receipting Program – Ontario Curling Council
Spread the word- anyone with an interest in keeping our Club strong can donate!
The Board thanks everyone who has helped the club navigate these challenging times – your support will ensure that the Ottawa Curling Club remains the hub for curling in our city for years to come.
Members can expect a Spring Update message in late April.
Stay safe. Stay home.
OCC Board of Directors
Returning Members
Please login to read updates that are for members only and to register. There is a Member-only Menu to help guide you.
New Members
Thank you for your interest in becoming a new member. Here's what you need to know and do.
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Complete our online information form accessible in the last instruction below.
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You will be sent a verification e-mail to the address you provided. Please click on the verification link to allow your request to proceed.
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You will receive an e-mail shortly thereafter with simple instructions that will allow you to log into the Ottawa Curling Club website.
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Login to our website, then click on the menu item for CURLING --> MEMBERSHIP and the registration link will be added to the instructions. We look forward to having you join our club.
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To start, please create your new member account and login.
Returning or New Members if you have any questions or problems, please contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for assistance.
Some Additional FAQs here
Thank you for your continued patience with the Board as we prepare for the unprecedented curling season ahead of us. We remain optimistic that we will have a successful, albeit unique, season ahead.
Return to Curl Guidelines
Click HERE to open the Return to Curl Guidelines for the Ottawa Curling Club. We have put these guidelines together following the latest guidance from public health officials, Curling Canada, and CurlON, while ensuring adherence to current legal restrictions in place. In addition, the Board took the survey results into considerations when preparing for the season ahead. These guidelines will be updated as necessary based on changes in guidance from governing bodies. We understand that Members may have questions or concerns, and we invite you to submit them to our Manager, Dalal, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please note that these guidelines are in place to get the season started and will be adapted as necessary to provide a safe and healthy facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click HERE Please find attached our FAQ document that includes questions from the Annual General Meeting. We will be creating a section on our website for this information - stay tuned.
We invite you to submit any other questions to our Manager, Dalal, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. They will be added to our FAQs.
2020-21 Deadlines
In order to ensure the financial viability of the Club, we have set strict deadlines so that we can plan for the season ahead. The ice installation comes at a considerable cost for the Club early in the season, and therefore it is imperative that we have a firm commitment from our Members by these deadlines. Membership fees for 2020-21 must be paid by September 30, 2020. Further, Members who have already made a payment for the season, but decide they do not want to participate this season must notify the Manager by September 30, 2020. After September 30, 2020, we cannot guarantee refunds. That being said, should the Club be required to close during the season, the Board will evaluate the situation to determine if and what refunds may be made.
Registration
The deadline to register and provide payment is Wednesday, September 30th – which is approaching quickly. In order to ensure the financial viability of the Club, we have set strict deadlines so that we can plan for the season ahead. The ice installation comes at a considerable cost for the Club early in the season, and therefore it is imperative that we have a firm commitment from our Members by these deadlines. Please review our FAQ section titled REGISTRATION & MEMBERSHIP for more details.
If your team needs a player or is in another scenario please contact our Manager, Dalal at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 613-234-4119 for assistance.
Retrieving Personal Belongings from Lockers
Due to the sudden closure of the Club back in March, many Members have personal belongings that have been left at the Club. Dalal will be opening the club next week to allow Members to retrieve their belongings; see hours below. Please wear a mask and practise physical distancing while inside the club.
Monday, September 28 to Friday, October 2 from 9:30 a.m. till 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 3 from 11 a.m. till 4 p.m.
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The AGM was held virtually via Zoom on September 22, 2020 and it was a success. Thank you to all who participated! It had the highest attendance in years. We held an election and congrats to the candidates. The Board appreciates Members offering their support to the Board, especially in these difficult times.
The Board would like to thank Eddie Chow for his dedication over his many years on the Board and especially his leadership during his Presidency. Thank you, Eddie!
We would like to update our Membership with your new Board lead by our new President, Mike Burke. Please see below and this has also been updated with contact information on our website.
Directors:
Michael Burke, President
Nicole Merriman, Treasurer
Alexandra Birtwistle, Match & Member Services
Ian Rathwell, Ice
Pamela Ponic, Director At-Large
Wesley Blight, Business Development
Ian Lovsin, Facilities
Kirk Anderson, Director At-Large
Ex officio Director:
Eddie Chow, Past-President
Officers (non-voting):
Joanne McGraw, Secretary
Dalal Abou-Eid, Manager
League Information
Due to current legal restrictions in place and guidance set by public health officials, there will be some changes in the operation of leagues this year. League Conveners will send out league specific information to league members in a subsequent message.
Thank you again for your patience and support.
Sincerely,
The OCC Board
