Briars Club Update - March

I hope this email finds you healthy and doing well during these crazy and troubling times. We wanted to take this opportunity to provide you with a very brief update on the constantly evolving situation here at the Briars Golf Club. At this point in time, Management is examining several potential scenarios for possible opening dates, available services, and safety precautions here at the club - based on current & potential government restrictions and guidelines.  

As you can understand, there are still many unknowns as to how drastic times may get with Covid - 19. Along with most businesses and golf clubs - we are taking this one week at a time and re-modelling projections based on whatever information/guidelines are available at the time.

The Board of Directors is scheduled to meet (virtually) on April 11th to discuss potential scenarios and we promise - as soon as information is available or if any decisions are made – the membership will be the FIRST to know.

As announced today: The government is ordering all businesses not covered by the updated Emergency Order to Close, effective as of Saturday, April 4, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. This closure will be in effect for 14 days, with the possibility of an extension as the situation evolves. 

This means the clubhouse and golf course will be closed until April 18th at the very earliest. Patrick and a couple of his employees will continue to perform essential work on the course when needed and our management team will be working remotely. 

Please be reminded that the Golf Course is CLOSED. Under no circumstances can we have anyone playing any golf as it exposes the Club and yourself to potentially severe provincial and federal fines. Also, we must remind you that if you're walking the course we ask that you all adhere to all physical distancing requirements that have been communicated by the government. 

FYI - the order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act re: outdoor recreational amenities is now live on e-Laws here:  https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/200104

Note that the offence provisions, which are in the legislation, set out the following:

7.0.11 (1) Every person who fails to comply with an order under subsection 7.0.2 (4) or who interferes with or obstructs any person in the exercise of a power or the performance of a duty conferred by an order under that subsection is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction,

(a) in the case of an individual, subject to clause (b), to a fine of not more than $100,000 and for a term of imprisonment of not more than one year;

(b) in the case of an individual who is a director or officer of a corporation, to a fine of not more than $500,000 and for a term of imprisonment of not more than one year; and

(c) in the case of a corporation, to a fine of not more than $10,000,000. 2006, c. 13, s. 1 (4).

Separate offence

(2) A person is guilty of a separate offence on each day that an offence under subsection (1) occurs or continues. 2006, c. 13, s. 1 (4).

Increased penalty

(3) Despite the maximum fines set out in subsection (1), the court that convicts a person of an offence may increase a fine imposed on the person by an amount equal to the financial benefit that was acquired by or that accrued to the person as a result of the commission of the offence. 2006, c. 13, s. 1 (4).

Exception

(4) No person shall be charged with an offence under subsection (1) for failing to comply with or interference or obstruction in respect of an order that is retroactive to a date that is specified in the order, if the failure to comply, interference or obstruction is in respect of conduct that occurred before the order was made but is after the retroactive date specified in the order. 2006, c. 13, s. 1 (4).

The Briars Golf Club is taking all necessary precautions to ensure the health, safety and well-being of our members, staff and guests. We will continue to monitor Health Canada, the World Health Organization, York Region Public Health and other expert governmental/regional health experts to follow developments and receive guidance.

Take care of one another, and please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.