Time Running out on the Christmas Toy Drive

The Toy Drive is in full swing and going well.   The barrels all have toys in them.  Thank you to those who have made the trek to the Recreation Complex and deposited toys for the Toy Drive. 

But we did notice that there was a lonely little bear at the bottom of one barrel.  He’s wishing that a lot more toys will join him in the barrel. 

This coming week (Nov 23rd) is the last week for collecting.  We must deliver the toys to the Durham Children’s Aid Society next weekend.  If you do intend to donate, please do it sooner than later.  This weekend would be a good time.  The latest news from Ontario is that Durham is moving into the RED ZONE.  This may mean a curtailing of play at the Squash Courts as early as this coming Monday.   

Another of the club’s pet charities,  The St Paul’s on the Hill Food Bank,  is also in need of our help at this time of year.  I drove past the Food Bank last Friday morning and I was saddened to see the lineup of people waiting to get help.   Normally our club runs the Pickering Squash Club Golf Tournament in Support of the Food Bank.  This year, because of the pandemic, we had to cancel the tournament.  This meant that the usual $10,000 to $12,000 that the Food Bank would get from our efforts was not there this year.  If you are considering making charitable donations this season, please consider the St Paul’s on the Hill Food Bank.  They do accept donations on-line at the following:

https://www.stpaulsonthehillfoodbank.ca/on-line-donations.php

Each year, the Pickering Squash Club Members band together to help make Christmas a little better for those less fortunate. The challenges of 2020 are not going to stop us from continuing this tradition.   Let’s show that the Pickering Squash Club is ready to help. 

The Executive of The Pickering Squash Club

2020 Christmas Toy Drive

Each year, the Pickering Squash Club Members band together to help make Christmas a little better for those less fortunate. The challenges of 2020 are not going to stop us from continuing this tradition.

This year we will not be able to have our annual Toy Drive Round Robin Fun Night. Covid-19 has put a damper on this. The Club will instead provide new ways to collect donations for this worthy cause.

In association with the City of Pickering and the Chestnut Hills Developments Recreation Complex (The Pickering Recreation Complex) we are setting up DONATION BOXES in the lobby of the Recreation Complex. We are encouraging all our members to bring new unwrapped toys to drop off in the boxes. The drop off point will be available till the last week in November when the Club Executive will deliver them to the Durham Children’s Aid Society. This will give the Society time to sort and distribute then to needy families.

The courts are now open for play. Reserve a court. Get out and play a match. And when you do, bring along an unwrapped toy for the Donation Box.

The 2019 gang with all the toys ready to go to the Durham Children’s Aid Society

2020 Annual General Meeting Sept 14th, 7:00 PM

The AGM for 2020 will be held on Monday September 14th at 7:00 PM. via ZOOM

This is your opportunity to hear about the upcoming season for The Club and to have a say in how your Club is run. As well learn about how the season will progress in our state of “New Normal” and dealing with the COVID-19 restrictions.

This year the Annual General Meeting will be held virtually using the application ZOOM. If you are a paid up member of the Pickering Squash Club you will receive an e-mail in the next few days directing you on how to join in on the AGM.

Your participation in this important meeting is essential to the proper running of the organization. Your executive looks forward to your input and participation. As well, you will have an opportunity to volunteer to join the 2020-2021 executive and to vote in the executive for the upcoming season.

The executive is always open and welcome any new participants who wish to make a positive contribution to the Club. Every position is open as well as the addition of new Directors At Large.

Thank you from your current Executive. for 2019-2020

President  –  Fred Dizig
Vice President  –  Terry Bruce
Secretary  –  Joan Hill
Treasurer  –  Mark Rohlehr
Dir Junior Play – Ganesh Shan
Dir Ladies Play  –  Alison Le Ber
Dir Men’s Play  –  Winston Bell
Dir Public Relations  –  Ron Delevagne
Social Director  –  Steve Dizig
Dir at Large  –  Rick D’Souza
Squash Pro  –  Nicole Pirko
City Representative  –  Jody Morris – Supervisor Facility Programs

City of Pickering has extended facilities closures “Until Further Notice”

Below is the UPDATE #20 from the City of Pickering. The City has removed the estimated date of opening City Facilities, including the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex & Arena (formerly the Pickering Recreation Complex), and now lists it as “Until Further Notice”

This means for us in the Pickering Squash Club that access to playing our favourite sport is on hold. Please note that Complex memberships will be extended for the full period that the facility is closed. Refer to  pickering.ca/COVID19 for the full information.

Posted on Thursday June 18, 2020

Update #20

Pickering, ON, June 18, 2020 – The Ontario government announced that municipalities within the Durham Region Public Health Unit, including the City of Pickering, can move into Stage 2 to reopen its economy, effective as of Friday, June 19, 2020.

This means that certain establishments can once again open for business, including restaurants, bars, hair salons, malls, and more. Please visit Ontario.ca for details.

The City is reviewing what this stage means for the municipality, as well as the time needed to safely implement any facility or amenity re-openings. Please visit pickering.ca/COVID19 for the most up-to-date information.

City of Pickering extends closures and cancellations to July 1

As of Monday May 18th (Victoria Day) the closure and cancellation dates remain the same. Follow all of Pickering Announcements by Clicking Here.

Posted on Wednesday April 29, 2020 on the Pickering.ca website

Update #8

Pickering, ON, April 29, 2020 – As part of its ongoing efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, the City of Pickering is extending its closure of all facilities until July 1, 2020 (inclusive).

Closures include Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex, Pickering Animal Shelter, Pickering Museum Village (virtual museum village launching soon), community centres and arenas. While closed to the public, Pickering City Hall and the Operations Centre remain minimally staffed to ensure the continued delivery of essential and critical services.

To see the full Update #8 of closures and cancellations please click here.

Super Squash Saturdays

Good Afternoon Squash Buddies

I know that we are all feeling squash withdrawal but here is a small relief. Joe Brown has passed on a YouTube video to me in order to share it with you.

This is a Hardball Singles Match between Jonathan Power and his protege Diago Elias from Peru. Diago is currently ranked 6th in the world in singles softball. Jonathan has put together a Saturday Challenge Match and will broadcast it every Saturday for the next few weeks. He has conscripted Dean Brown and Graham Ryding to do the play by play and reffing. The play by play is worth the watch.

Thank you to Joe for passing this on. Hope you enjoy a little Weekend Squash viewing

For your viewing pleasure!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b7eFaTu1NU

Enjoy!

A brief update from our Exec team as of March 30, 2020

Dear Friends,
We hope you are keeping well and all have remained healthy and safe. The purpose of this message is to provide you with a brief update, following our executive team meeting this evening, via video conference.

The world as we know it is faced with our most significant threat, with no signs of improvement here in North America, as yet. It is of utmost importance to be aware, take precautions, follow direction provided by our medical experts and government officials, help each other where possible. You have likely received the update from the City, last Fri March 27, indicating they have extended closure of the City facilities including the Rec Complex until May 03 inclusive. The latest information from the City can be viewed at their web site at PICKERING.CA/COVID19 ( https://www.pickering.ca/en/city-hall/covid-19-update.aspx )

Following guidelines, clear direction from Provincial and Federal Gov’t, other authorities, and in the interest of safety for all, all Pickering Squash Club organized activities and events are cancelled until further notice. This includes but not limited to our club championships, ShinDig tournament, annual banquet (May 02), Chris Doona Award, competitive leagues and House Leagues (singles and doubles), ladder matches, social activities, and other programs.

We will continue to provide these updates with notifications as things hopefully improve and the risk of COVID-19 is declared clear in the near future.

Finally, we want to reiterate the need to take all precautions, stay safe, stay informed, seek immediate help if you are feeling ill with any symptoms. Reach out to anyone in need, with a helping hand and support.

Best regards and stay safe!

Fred Dizig
President, Pickering Squash Club

Pickering / COVID-19 Update

As of March 27th, the City of Pickering have extended the closing of all facilities until May 3, 2020 (inclusive). This includes the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex (formerly known as the Pickering Recreation Complex). As a result all Pickering Squash Activities will be suspended at least until Monday May 4th and possibly longer depending on the directions we receive from The City.

For an up to date full list of closures/cancellations and updates regarding the City’s response to COVID-19 please visit pickering.ca/Covid19

Recreation Complex Closed

As we are sure you are aware, the Recreation Complex is closed from March 13th till April 5th due to the Covid-19 Virus outbreak.

CITY of PICKERiNG Notices regarding COVID-19

Currently the expectation is that this will be extended indefinitely. We will keep you informed of any changes that the City lets us know. Watch the website for announcements regarding re-opening and the continuation of the Club’s postponed events.

In the mean time, please keep yourselves safe and practice social distancing.