To Alpine Ontario athletes, staff, families and community,
First, I would like to express my deep gratitude for a terrific first year as Alpine Ontario High-Performance Director. I have enjoyed working more closely with our U16, U19 and Ontario Ski Team athletes and coaches, and getting to know parents and families in the community. We see clear areas to improve but feel fortunate that the Ontario ski racing community has so many strengths and assets to build on. And of course, we also must recognize the impact the COVID-19 global pandemic will have on the ski community and Alpine Ontario.
Even during the best of years, this can be a stressful and uncertain time of year for anyone in the ski industry. Program and project qualification and selections take place, athletes and families are deciding their future near and far, budgets are created, and plans and staff confirmed. We at Alpine Ontario understand this and do our best to communicate plans for teams, programs and projects in a fair and timely fashion. Given the current situation, we will have to adapt and delay our planning. A good portion of the competitive season and qualification races have been cancelled. It is uncertain when we will be able to begin skiing, training, physical testing, or even meeting in person. Fundraising events for the foreseeable future have been cancelled.
We ask for your patience while we evaluate and decide how best to move forward. We will have to adapt how teams and programs are selected, with new timelines, and possibly need to restructure programs.
Our communication plan will target April 8th as the date to inform athletes, staff and families about team selection, program and project plans moving forward. Given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the first scheduled activity or training for the 2020-21 season will be determined largely by the recommendations of the Government of Canada and the Alpine Ontario Board of Directors.
We are confident that AOA will find solutions and efficiencies to move forward stronger than ever. Please stay safe, healthy and active, and enjoy time with family.
Sincerely ~ Kip
Kip Harrington,
High-Performance Director
Alpine Ontario Alpin