The Boyle Street Badminton Club

07/30/2023

Just so everyone knows... I'm not actually the contact person for this club anymore. It's Sonny @ +1 (780) 717-7588

09/20/2020

Here's an update on the question of whether we can book extra time(s) at the Boyle. Well, we could have a regular booking on Saturday afternoon/evening... but it would be classified as a rental, which means it would cost $100. Seems expensive to me when you can book a slot at one of the City Rec centres for less than $9/per person, so that's the way I'd recommend you go. It's easy to book, just go here: https://movelearnplay.edmonton.ca/COE/public/category/browse/RECADMISSION
Early evenings tend to book up early, but mornings before business hours and daytimes there's plenty of availability.

City-operated attractions, arenas, municipal golf courses, recreation centres, senior centres, stadiums, sports fields and tennis courts.

09/12/2020

Hello!

With our badminton club in "full swing" at the Boyle, I wanted to give you all an update.

1. As the numbers of players coming into the club increases with the fall, we need to set a limit of the number permitted in the gym at any given time. This limit has been set to 30, so that some small measure of social distancing is still possible, and so that wait times don't get too long. If you show up late it's possible that you will get turned away. Please don't be offended, we are just trying to keep people safe and and not have to spend half our time waiting instead of playing.

2. On the topic of wait times: please line up in an orderly fashion, as we did last year, so that it's clear whose turn it is next, and so everyone can get an idea of how much longer they'll have to wait for their turn on the courts. If necessary we will go back to the system with the bins that Sonny was kind enough to implement for us.

3. If at all possible when a foursome does get on the court, they can play two games in a row. If there are more than about 10 waiting, it'll have to be just the one game. This is a volunteer-run club (inasmuch as it's run at all) so please police yourselves in this matter.

4. Some of you have approached me asking if there's anything we can do to get more time on the courts. We can't extend the time on Sundays because the pickleball people start after us at 1:30. I asked if we could get a regular slot one or more evenings of the week and the answer is "no", those times were booked up for the foreseeable future, within an hour of the Boyle Y re-opening!

5. The one slot we *may* be able to secure would be on Saturday evenings; my contact at the Y is looking into it for us.

Sooo... who's interested? I know that Saturday evening is not an ideal time slot, but with none of the schools we usually play at re-opening for community bookings until November at the earliest (from what I heard, correct me if you've heard anything different) you all might be willing to play at this time. Please let me know, and I will pass that on and we'll see if we can get something going on Saturday nights.

Thank you all for your patience and support. We will surely get through "these times" and back to something better.

Please take care of yourselves... and enjoy your games!

- Stephanie

P.S. Many of you already have my number but I can also be reached via email at [email protected].

07/26/2020

Badminton at the Kinsmen
Just thought I'd let you all know... I was at the Kinsmen yesterday playing badminton for the first time since lockdown. That's how I know that:

- it's open for badminton
- you just pay the usual amount you'd pay for standard admission
- you have to book courts ahead of time (also as usual with the Kinsmen)
- we weren't required to wear masks though this will change at the start of August; however we won't be required to wear masks while playing

And that's all there was to it! So go ahead... round up some badminton buddies and have at it! At least until the next lockdown

07/12/2020

Update: Badminton was supposed to be from 11 - 1! I'm sorry for those few of you who showed up for the posted time of 1:30 - 4:30. That was indeed the time pickleball was. supposed to happen; I guess my contact at the Y must've emailed the pickleball people first, and forgot to change that one detail when she emailed me! In any case I just want to confirm: we will be BACK TO OUR OLD TIME, 11 - 1, as of NEXT SUNDAY (July 19th). Hope to see you there

07/10/2020

Hello Everyone, this is from the Y:

I wanted to let you know we are ready to welcome Badminton players back to the Boyle Street Plaza.

Badminton can resume this Sunday, July 12th, from 1:30-4:30 p.m.

I want to share with you what the relaunch of Badminton will look like at the Plaza.

Here are the guidelines and procedures, we will be asking of everyone. Please be advise, these guidelines may change or be updated as required and necessary.

There is a facility max capacity. We have 2 staff and will allow no more than 48 players in.

Anyone entering will be required to complete a COVID Self assessment, hand sanitize and adhere to directional flows within the facility.

We are asking you to come dressed and ready to play.
We ask that only players be on site, if you are finished your set you leave the facility to ensure physical distancing.

The doors to the facility will be locked, there is an intercom button at the front doors we ask you buzz us there and we will come let you in.

Please be aware, our staff will be wearing masks. We understand this may muffle voices, please be patent with us and ask us to speak up if necessary.

Players must bring their own equipment.
Disinfected birdies will be available for use.
Water fountains are closed however the water bottle fill station is open.

Once the badminton time is finished, we ask all players to vacate as soon as possible. We will be disinfecting the floors for the Pickle Ball players directly after.

I'm sure there will likely be things we have not thought of, please help us where appropriate.

Call me at (780) 907-3231 or post a comment to this page if you have any questions. See you on Sunday @ 1:30!

- Stephanie

06/09/2020

From my contact at the Y: "As soon as we figure out what this looks like in terms of people, social distancing, hours, programs, sanitizing and all the other pieces I will let you know asap!" Yaaaay!

06/09/2020

Hey, good news! Stay tuned...

The second phase of the province’s relaunch will move ahead Friday, a week earlier than initially anticipated.

05/15/2020

Hello My Badminton Banditoes... how are you all doing? Staying well and safe, I trust... I miss you and badminton more than anything!

I wanted to give you a quick update after reaching out to my contact at Boyle:

"The Boyle Street Community Centre is considered a Stage 3 venue and as such It is unlikely the plaza will open before September.

Additionally when we do open, we are discussing what drop in, programming and events look like in terms of social distancing and the numbers of individuals permitted in a space. There needs to also be considerations in terms of number of courts, equipment and other logistics.

Having said all that we miss the "life" everyone brought into the building and AS SOON as we can, I will let you know a plan of action and what it looks like."

So that's all for now. KEEP THE FAITH! There WILL be badminton at the Boyle again... hopefully in the fall!!

- Stephanie

03/15/2020

Hello Everyone,

Here is the reason why no badminton at Boyle for awhile. I received this email about an hour after my contact there discussed it with me and we agreed that badminton could continue; these shutdowns are happening quickly and without much warning:

Good afternoon Stephanie,

I am emailing you to let you know I have received information at 5:46 p.m. today that effective Sunday, March 15th (tomorrow), the Boyle Street Community Centre will be closed temporarily.

These actions come after careful consideration and in partnership with municipal and community partners. As always, the YMCA of Northern Alberta looks to credible experts such as Alberta Health Services, Health Canada and the World Health Organization as the source for factual information.

It is important to note that these closures and cancellations are to minimize the risk of COVID-19 exposure to members, participants, community persons and employees. These measures ensure that the YMCA is a part of the community effort to prevent the spread of the virus and to limit gatherings and promote social distancing. There is no indication or evidence to suggest that our facilities have been infected or are in any way unsafe.

As soon as we heard we can safely re-open I will call and email you.

Take care of yourself and your family. We will be in contact shortly.