Below is the update from OTA President, James Boyce that we are passing to our members in order to keep you updated and have full transparency what is happening.
May 5, 2021
Dear OTA Member Club Executives;
As a follow-up to my recent update concerning the re-opening of tennis in Ontario, I feel it is important to update you on the results of a meeting that took place on the afternoon of May 4th between members of the Premier’s Office, Tennis Canada President and CEO Michael Downey and me.
Unfortunately, the news will be disappointing for players wishing to play, tennis facilities wishing to re-open and pros wishing to teach.
After 40 minutes of meaningful dialogue, in which the OTA and Tennis Canada were permitted to state their positions with respect to the closures, the Province stated that as of right now, it intends to continue with the terms outlined in the original Stay-at-Home Order, with respect to the closing of tennis facilities and other currently closed recreational amenities, until further notice.
They stated that the objective behind the closures continues to be to limit the transmission of the Covid-19 virus and reduce the number of people admitted to hospital ICU’s. While they agree that the sport itself (and others) are relatively safe, their main concern lies with the potential group travel to and from facilities and the increased likelihood of group congregation at or around the sites.
The Premier’s office has agreed to keep the OTA and Tennis Canada informed of any updates as they become available and has given us permission to contact them periodically as conditions change.
Like all of you, we are disappointed with their position, as we have worked hard (with all of your help) to ask them to reconsider the closures. We will continue to dialogue with them with respect to both the facility closures and inconsistencies and inequities in the current Covid Zone protocol.
I will continue to update you as new information becomes available.
Sincerely,
James Boyce
President and CEO
Ontario Tennis Association