(July 25, 2020) by USWCA President, Beth Lepping
It is with heavy heart that the USWCA 2021 Winter Meeting and National Bonspiel in Madison, Wisconsin, are cancelled. Again, the situations beyond the control of the USWCA have necessitated this outcome, as it is the decision of the Madison Curling Club Board of Directors not to host any bonspiels for the 2020-21 curling season. Due to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases here in Dane County, across Wisconsin and the country, uncertainty regarding how long the virus's threat will last, length of government-mandated restrictions on mass gatherings, lack of timely and sufficient testing, and inconsistent compliance with safety measures, this is clearly the responsible choice.
While navigating this pandemic and looking ahead to the prospective curling season, the choices on how to tackle all the issues associated with COVID-19 have been made especially difficult by attempting to safeguard the health and safety or our members while fashioning some sort of season. Bonspiels would be an obvious casualty and surely would be unable to resemble those of years past. After all, everything about a bonspiel is social. We curl together, we broomstick together, we eat and drink together, we travel together, we room together - there is little about a bonspiel involving social distancing. Sadly, suggested 'best practices' designed to improve safety do nothing to further a rewarding bonspiel experience.
Since before the USWCA 2020 National Bonspiel ended in Seattle, preparations have been underway in Madison to create a wonderful and memorable event for our members. When the quarantine began, the planning carried on as did daily monitoring of the latest information from the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and Wisconsin DHS (Department of Health Services), and the USCA (US Curling Association), with the hope that somehow it would all work out. Unfortunately, the news did not improve, and with so many people asymptomatic, it became clear that it would be impossible to adequately protect our members from the virus.
The goal has always been to safely provide the opportunity to meet, curl, and make and renew friendships. With our members spread across the country, our meetings and bonspiels are often the only opportunities each year we physically connect, which makes cancelling that much more painful. That being said, during these unprecedented times, our most essential responsibility is to keep everyone safe and healthy. In the meantime, we'll see each other virtually, adapt where we can, and look forward to the 2021-22 curling season when we once again will be together.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who put in countless hours to create what would have no doubt been an extraordinary event, especially the National Bonspiel Committee chaired by Carol Arakelian, and the National Bonspiel On Site Co-chairs, Judi Page, Dae Jean Jahnke, and their committee. I would also like to thank the Madison Curling Club for the opportunity to host our bonspiel.