The Fort Frances Curling Club has decided for now to fall in line with the Northwestern Ontario Health Unit’s ongoing campaign to eliminate smoking in all enclosed public places.
Club president Bill Gushulak said Friday the board of directors voted at a meeting Thursday night to ban smoking in the upstairs lounge as of this Monday after receiving its first warning letter earlier this week following a health unit inspection of the building last Friday.
“We’ve been pushed into a corner,” said Gushulak. “We know we have long-time members who are regular smokers. We hope they will understand the situation.”
The club had voted 50-48 at its fall meeting Oct. 2 to allow smoking to continue in the upstairs lounge.
Gushulak noted the board discussed the option of challenging the health unit’s ruling, such as what is being done by the Freedom of Choice Coalition which includes eight Kenora/Rainy River businesses.
But he added financial considerations inevitably sidetracked the plan.
“Those that would have voted to go that route, we would have then had to ask them for monetary contributions to fight the ruling,” said Gushulak. “We felt that wouldn’t have been a popular option.”
Gushulak also predicted the possible loss of membership due to the smoking ban wouldn’t reach a significant amount.
“I personally feel it won’t get to that level,” he said. “Every one of our members is important to us. But this is a difficult situation, and we’re doing our best with what we have to work with.
“If some people leave, hopefully those that have been staying away because of the smoking will now come out and enjoy our lounge and watch some curling in a smoke-free environment.”
Gushulak hinted the move may not be a permanent one—depending on how future legal wranglings related to the issue pan out.
“Once all the [impending] court cases get settled, and it’s been decided what’s right and wrong, we may revisit our decision at that point.”
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
