GET READY FOR ANOTHER SEASON OF TENNIS
We’re excited for another season at Bayview Village Tennis Club. It seems the weather is going to hold up this weekend, so we should be able to open the club as scheduled, on Sunday, April 18.
The club will open as 2020 left off, using the online booking system we implemented last year. You can book courts one week in advance. Each member will be allowed 2 hours of scheduled court time, at a time.
Singles and doubles play is currently allowed, as long as you are following all safety protocols and remaining at least 6 feet apart. Please ensure you are familiar with all the Covid protocols posted on our site and when booking a court, as they will be enforced.
Membership numbers have greatly increased this year. In fact, it looks like we will be capping membership this year. With the few options there are for outdoor activities during lockdown, the incredible courts and lights at Bayview Village Tennis Club, and being one of the most welcoming and friendly clubs in the city, if you have yet to get your membership, register today.
A key reminder that there are NO REFUNDS on memberships. We refunded memberships when we were unable to open the club last year, and, we would have done the same if it were the case this year, for an extended time. Now that is it confirmed that we can open, and will be opening this weekend, we cannot issue refunds if you reconsidering wanting to play. We all entered into the season knowing that anything was possible and we’ll have to ride any waves that come our way this year. We will continue to follow all protocols and provide a safe environment for our members. Tennis is a safe sport and one of the few things you can actively do this summer. Take advantage of it and enjoy the season!
A reminder to not abuse the booking system. If you are playing doubles, all 4 members are required to be registered. As well, you cannot use the name/account of another member to sign up, regardless of whether or not that member is using their alloted time. Each member is entitled to 2 hours of pre-booked court time, whether playing singles or doubles, and, the member that is signed up, must be the member that is playing. Given the high voulme of membership this year, the Executive team will be monitoring fair play, and members that see abuse of the booking system are encouraged to reach out the Executive team to report any abuse. Anyone caught abusing the system is subject to having their membership revoked without refund.
Court #6 is currently open for booking; however, as soon as tennis lessons are authorized again by the City of Toronto, it will be for our Club Pro and his team's exclusive use. Any courts booked in advance are subject to being cancelled when lessons resume.
Last but not least, a reminder that we are are a community tennis club, run by volunteers, and working to provide a great environment for our members. Please be kind to all of our Directors and your fellow members. We have a strict policy on abuse/harassment and it will not be tolerated. Your membership will be revoked, without any refund, if you abuse or harass any member/Director. Our dedicated volunteer team gives countless hours of their time to put everything in place to allow you to play at Bayview. Please show them the love and respect they deserve.
RETURNING MEMBERS
If you are returning member, you’re awesome! We look forward to having you back in 2021!
In order to register for the current season, please login using your username and password from last year. Once you login, you will be asked to confirm your all of your information, choose your membership, then pay via Paypal. Please DO NOT register as a new member, as there will be duplication in the system.
If you forgot your password, CLICK HERE to re-set your password.
NEW MEMBERS
If this is your first year joining BVTC, welcome to the Club! Before being able to register, you will have to set-up your account. Once you have set up your account, you can then sign into your account and complete the registration process.
Now that you know the tennis club is open and that you will be able to play, here is an update on what is not allowed:
1. Lessons and camps. Sadly, under the current shutdown, lessons and camps are not allowed to operate. We will notify everyone immediately via our newsletter, website, and social media, when lessons/camps return.
Under the previous grey zone, camps were allowed, but lessons were not allowed. Under the previous red zone, both camps and lessons were allowed, in a controlled manner. Stay tuned as we are sure this will be changing throughout the season and we all want to get back to being able to take lessons and attend camps.
2. Under the current protocols, spectators are not allowed and there is no lingering. Only the people registered to play on a court can be on the court or in the facilities at their scheduled time. Please arrive right at the time you are scheduled to play, and, please leave the courts immediately after your scheduled time is finished. No finishing off a game/points. If you cannot finish the next game/point, don’t start it. We need to minimize any exposure between people.
3. The clubhouse and washrooms will remain closed. Please use the washroom before coming to play, please bring water with you, and please ensure you clean up and take everything with you when you leave the court.
4. Any type of competitive/league play is still not allowed. This includes intercountry, house league, and round robins. This was the case last season and remains the case this season. Given the time is takes to coordinate these leagues, it is not likely they will return until next season.
The full rules of play will be posted at the club and on our website. Please continue to monitor these to ensure you are following all the necessary safety protocols. Ignorance of the law excuses no one.
PRACTICE COURT
You asked, we listened. We are going to be opening up the practice court for bookings. You will be entitled to 2 active bookings, of 30 minutes each, for the practice court. This time will not count towards your allotment for regular courts. We will be adding the practice court to the booking portal, within the next few weeks. Stay tuned!
NEW PUBLIC HOURS
Beginning on Sunday, April 25th, our public hours will be changing. Our previous public hours were 4:00-7:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday, and 4:00-6:00 PM on Saturday, Sunday, and Holiday Mondays.
Our new hours will be 12:00-6:00 PM on Sundays. This was historically our quietest time, especially in the heat of summer. This will allow us to minimize exposure at the club, having to have our Exec team open and close the gates during public hours.
Members can still play during public hours; however, it is first come first serve, during this time. Public play allows for 30 minute time slots, unlike our 1 hour time slots during normal club hours.
NEW PUBLIC HOURS
We receive our fair share of questions. Rather than have to respond to all the same questions, over and over again, we are going start an FAQ page on our newsletter and website, addressing some of the most common questions we receive.
Here are a few to get us going:
Can we use the practice court? How many people can be on the practice court?
We will be adding the practice court to the booking portal. Members will be able to book up to two 30 minute sessions on the practice court, at a given time. The practice court is limited to one person at a time.
Can members play during public hours?
Yes, anyone can play during public hours, however, the rules of the club including Covid safety protocols and proper attire must be followed. During public hours, each court is given 30 minutes of play. It is first come, first serve. We will have a sign up board for facilitating play when you arrive.
How many hours of court time can I book? How far in advance can I book court time?
Courts can be booked up to one week in advance. Each member is given two hours of pre-booked court time. Once you use up a hour, it goes back into your account and can be immediately used to book your next hour of court time.
Can I bring a guests?
Unfortunately, guests are not allowed at this time, as we have no way of tracking guests or collecting guest fees. Due to all the requirements around Covid, only members are allowed at the club, other than during public hours.
Can I bring a ball hitting machine or trainer with me?
No. Tennis ball machines and trainers are not allowed. All lessons/teaching are exclusively contracted to our Club Pro and his team. For the enjoyment of your fellow club members, and to ensure as little disruption as possible, you are limited to 3 balls on the court at any given time.
Do you have lessons and camps?
Under the current stay-at-home order, no lessons or camps are allowed. Under the grey zone regulations, lessons are not allowed, however, camps are allowed, in a limited manner.
Under normal circumstances, we are fortunate to have a robust tennis program, including lessons and camps, run by our Club Pro, Peter Nielsen. As soon it is allowed, we will immediately resume lessons and camps. For further information, please feel free to contact Peter at pnielsen889@rogers.com.
Is there a court charge? Can I rent a court?
Your membership allows you to play, for free, for the entire duration of the season, from April to October. We do not charge any court fees and courts cannot be rented out if you wish to play without a membership. Members only!
Stay safe and of good health,
BVTC Board of Directors
