Curling club allows smoking again

A financial crunch has led the Fort Frances Curling Club to reverse its no-smoking policy, effective immediately.
It was decided at Tuesday night’s board of directors meeting that given the Health Appeal and Review Board’s recent extension of a stay of action against district businesses that permit smoking, the club once again would allow smoking in one area in the upstairs lounge there.
A smoking area centered around the pool table area in the lounge will be designated for those wishing to light up.
Club president Bill Gushulak said a significant loss in food and beverage sales prompted the move back to allowing smoking in a designated area of the premises.
“In light of the fact revenues are down substantially since compliance to the no-smoking regulations . . . we can’t afford to enforce no smoking when, in fact, it’s being allowed in other facilities,” Gushulak remarked.
“We’re in a situation where we need all the money we can get,” he stressed. “Our income from the lounge is tremendously important in the face of the rising cost of insurance, utilities, and our higher tax payments.”
The club’s move is the second change of policy—and the third separate decision made on the issue—since the beginning of the curling season.
At the annual fall meeting Oct. 2, club members voted 50-48 to continue to allow smoking in the upstairs lounge.
But after an inspection of the facility by inspectors looking to uphold the Northwestern Health Unit’s Jan. 1 ban on smoking in all enclosed public places led to a warning letter, the board of directors voted unanimously Jan. 27 to adopt a no-smoking policy for the entire building.
Gushulak said the timing of the club’s most recent decision was vital with two major revenue-raising events coming up—this weekend’s 50th-annual women’s bonspiel and the annual men’s bonspiel next month.
He added the move did not intend any disrespect towards the health unit, but was more tied to the fact the legal battle against the smoking ban being spearheaded by the Freedom of Choice Coalition remains unsettled.
“Basically, we decided to comply with the regulations [at a Jan. 24 board meeting] because we weren’t in a financial position to fight,” noted Gushulak.
“But we’re in the limbo stage right now. We want to wait and see,” he added. “If there’s still a state of indecision right now, we can’t afford to turn [smokers] away.”