Carrickfergus Sailing Club

Hello everyone

Thank you all for your patience and support as we continue through this difficult time. We appreciate that not all facilities have been available to members but we continue to review everything continually and within the constraints of guidance from the Executive and RYA. We thank you for following all the rules as we opened up the club grounds, the bar and the club racing.

Since the easing of restrictions, and with the availability of our new slipway we were able to recommence some sailing activity during July and we were pleased to accommodate some training for our junior sailors in August, as well as a short summer series for the Dinghies and Keelboats. We had a great Members Regatta day 29^th August with over 30 boats on the water followed by our first social event since lockdown. Our Autumn Series commenced on 13^thSeptember and we had a good turnout of Juniors, Dinghies and Keelboats. Typically the winds were not kind on the first race day but we had a good turnout last Sunday and will continue the series until 25^thOctober. If you still want to enter, you can do son on the Website. Last weekend we had brilliant results from several of our junior sailors at the RYA Youth Championships at Ballyholme Yacht Club.

We have issued an advertisement for a new caterer to join us on a franchise basis and hopefully we will find someone suitable soon. Meanwhile, the Executive has announced that “wet bars” can open from today 23^rdSeptember. Last month the Environmental Health Officer called and we are pleased to advise our bar received a 5 star hygiene rating. We have updated our risk assessment and are excited to announce that we are opening the indoor bar facility once again from Friday 25^th. While we have restricted our hours this week we are looking forward to welcoming our members back to a more normal schedule from next week. We hope you can come down and continue to support the club while meeting up with your fellow members and friends.

Opening Hours this week:

Friday 25^th          17:00 – 23:00

Saturday 26^th     14:00 – 23:00

Sunday 27^th        14:00 – 18:00   

From week commencing 28^th September, we intend normal opening hours Tuesday to Thursday 19:00 – 23:00, but for now we will remain closed on Monday evenings.

We need to see how things go over the first few weeks and so all of the above will be subject to review.

Things will look a little different at first, so we ask you to be patient and compliant with the mandatory requirements set out by The Executive, which include:

• The venue will be required as part of its risk assessment process to identify the number of people who can safely be accommodated in line with social distancing requirements, and must clearly display this figure in the premises;
• Hand sanitisation stations must be in place;
• The venue will be required to collect customer details to assist with the Test, Trace, Protect contact tracing programme;
• All service will be seated at tables. There will be no standing and no service at the bar;
• Customers must remain seated once in the premises, apart from using the facilities;
• Dancing will be prohibited in hospitality venues;
• A maximum of six people from any number of households can be seated at a table in a hospitality venue. Children aged 12 and under will be discounted from the total. More than six will be permitted if they all belong to a single household.
• Face coverings should be worn to enter and leave the venue and for movement inside. They are not required once seated.

In line with these requirements we have identified through our risk assessment that we can safely accommodate 60 across our upstairs rooms. On entry you are required to sanitise your hands and sign in as part of the track and trace programme. The sign in book will be placed just inside the entrance door to the bar. Please note there is a one way system and you should enter the bar area by the usual doorway and leave again by the door in the function room area. You should wear a face covering on entry and until you are seated. The maximum number at any table is 6 (unless from a single household). Tables and chairs have been set out bearing in mind the 2m social distancing and furniture must not be moved. There will be tables with sanitiser and disinfectant spray and wipes on tables in each area. You must remain seated, moving from your table only to use the facilities or to exit the clubhouse. When you do move from your table you must wear your face covering. You cannot order your drink from the bar and the bar staff will provide table service. Please leave empty glasses and bottles to one end of your table to enable staff to collect easily. The bar staff will be wearing a face covering or visor. Please be patient as we follow these new procedures, they are new to us all and the bar service may be a little slower than usual.

These new rules will take a bit of getting used to but we all must follow them, we all have to play our part in stopping the spread of the virus. Please DO NOT come onto club grounds if you are feeling unwell, if you have symptoms of covid-19 or have been in contact with anyone who has.

Thank you all again and hopefully see you in the Club soon.

The Management Committee