Tuesday, July 7th, 2020
Westford Sportsmen’s Club Conditionally Reopens Indoor Range
Effective July 12, we are conditionally re-opening the Indoor Range at the WSC.
Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, we are instituting additional procedures for the safe use of the Indoor Range. These are effective immediately and are mandatory. Failure to practice these procedures could result in the deactivation of your Indoor Range privileges. These procedures do not replace the standard operating procedures, which remain in full effect.
New procedures effective July 12, 2020:
1. Members only
2. Wear a face mask or respirator at all times
3. Only two (2) people are allowed in the range at any one time
4. Only alternate shooting lanes can be used: 1 & 3 or 2 & 4
5. Maximum of 60 minutes of range time per session
6. While waiting to shoot, no more than four (4) people may congregate in the waiting area
7. Maintain a safe social distance of at least six feet at all times
8. Wipe down your shooting lane platform after use
9. If used, wipe down the Safe Table after use
– Shooters must supply their own wipes and hand sanitizer
– Wash or disinfect hands frequently & after using the restroom
– Stay home if you or someone in your household feels sick
In order to access the Indoor Range, you must first pass a Guns Skills Safety Review (GSSR). If you have not taken the GSSR, you may apply by following this link.
Thank you all,
Chuck Steinhauser
Indoor Range Chairman
Thursday, May 21st, 2020
Dear Members,
You have probably read reports of the Massachusetts Governor’s plan for reopening announced on Monday May 18th. The WSC Executive Board has been reviewing the various documents released by the state to determine how we can restart activities at the club. As always, the health and safety of club members is our top priority. Fuller details regarding each activity will be posted to the club website, but here is a summary.
General
All individuals will be expected to follow these guidelines while on club grounds:
- Wear a face mask when Social Distancing is not possible
- Wash or disinfect hands frequently
- Maintain a distance of at least six feet at all times
- No groups larger than 10 people
- Do not enter club buildings except for emergencies [e.g., to fetch the AED or call 911] or required maintenance
- Stay home if you or someone in your household feels sick
Any member who fails to follow these guidelines while on club grounds may be asked to leave. Flagrant or repeated violation of the guidelines may result in disciplinary action by the Executive Board.
Trap
Ken Towl our Chairman of Trap Shooting has been working on a new reservation system and operating standards which will allow us to begin trap shooting on a restricted basis shortly. This new system will require openers and trap shooters to pre-register for a time slot to shoot. It will also eliminate the collection of cash payments for rounds. Details will be available on our website shortly.
Outdoor Ranges
Our Outdoor Ranges have remained open to members during the coronavirus shut down. They will remain open now, but with a stronger emphasis on the Social Distancing guidelines above. Since there is no water for hand washing available at the outdoor ranges, we are working to get a hand disinfection station set up near the ranges. Members who use the ranges are expected to bring their own materials to disinfect their shooting stations before and after use.
Sporting Clays
Operating our Sporting Clays course involves some unique challenges to Social Distancing. The Sporting Clays Committee is working to develop a safe process and we will publish it to members as soon as it is ready.
Archery
Our Outdoor Archery range and our 3D Archery course remain open to members. Users will be expected to adhere to the Social Distancing guidelines above while using our facilities.
Fishing and Hunting
According to the State Reopening Plan, Fishing and Hunting can recommence on May 25th. Members should adhere to Social Distancing guidelines and must follow state Hunting and Fishing regulations. There is also a Club limit of two trout a day from our pond.
Indoor Shooting Range
Our Indoor Range will remain closed while work continues on the floor in the range and in the waiting area. We expect this work to finish in mid-June. Chuck Steinhauser our Indoor Range Chairman will publish rules for reopening the range at that time. As we all know, the space in the shooting area of our Indoor Range is very tight, so careful adherence to the Social Distancing rules Chuck is developing will be essential.
As always, I urge members to take advantage of the unique opportunity our club provides to get outside and get some relief from stay-at-home requirements. We are very lucky to have such a facility available to us.
Sincerely,
David Martin
President, Westford Sportsmen’s Club
Thursday, March 19th, 2020
Dear Members,
I am sure you have all been following the news regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, the U.S. Government has asked everyone to practice social distancing to reduce the rate of infection. In particular, they have asked everyone to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people. The Westford Sportsmen’s Club will take several actions to comply with State and Federal directions.
First, E-Board and General Membership meetings are cancelled until further notice. We are investigating ways to carry on the club’s functions through online tools.
Second, open Sporting Clays and Trap shoots normally held on Sunday afternoons will be suspended until further notice. I have asked the Chairmen of Sporting Clays and Trap to prepare proposals for ways we can carry on these activities and still comply with social distancing. This will probably involve changing the format of our shoots to allow small groups of members to participate on a staggered schedule.
Third, we are developing an interim process to allow new members to join the club without the requirement to attend a General Membership meeting. We will notify the membership once we have a process defined.
Fourth, the Children’s Fishing Derby, scheduled for April 18th is cancelled. If at all possible, a future date will be announced. All members should please mail in their tickets for the Fishing Derby. We will hold the promotional drawing live on Facebook on April 18th at 11:00 a.m. We appreciate all members that donated to help sponsor this event. The funds from the promotional drawing will be held in the Fishing Derby Account until the derby is held.
We are considering a small stocking of the pond sometime in early April for members and families to fish. A reminder to members that the 3 trout per day limit is in effect.
Despite these difficult changes, the Westford Sportsmen’s Club will remain open to members. Please take advantage of the club to get outside and decompress. We are very lucky to have such a facility to help us through this difficult time. Remember while you are at the club to follow the guidelines for social distancing: Don’t congregate in groups larger than 10; Don’t gather in the club buildings; Maintain a 6 foot distance between individuals; If you are ill, please stay off club grounds; and finally – WASH YOUR HANDS!
Thank you,
President, Westford Sportsmen’s Club